Wednesday 1 October 2014 07:34, UK
All-rounder Doug Bracewell has been recalled to the New Zealand Test squad for next month’s three-match series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates after being dropped for disciplinary issues earlier this year.
The 24-year-old, who last played against Bangladesh last year, was axed after he and batsman Jesse Ryder breached team protocols by going out drinking the evening before the third Test against India in Auckland.
Bracewell was part of the New Zealand A team that toured England in August and coach Mike Hesson said his performances on that tour had convinced him to give the player another opportunity.
Doug had a very good NZ A tour and we just think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions will be important.
"Doug had a very good NZ A tour and we just think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions will be important," Hesson said.
Opening batsman Peter Fulton was omitted after being part of the squad for the 2-1 series victory over West Indies in June, with Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham set to head the batting order.
Rutherford, 25, scored 281 runs at an average of 52.5 in five one-day innings on the A tour.
"Hamish demonstrated a lot of positives on that England tour," Hesson added. "His balance was back and with that came his confidence."
Hesson has also named a 19-man New Zealand XI squad for one-day matches against Ireland and Scotland later this month, with former captain Daniel Vettori brought back into reckoning.
Ryder was not included in either squad despite his fine performances for Essex this summer.
Test squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
One-day squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
