Daryl Tuffey is eager to "make up for lost time" after receiving a call-up to New Zealand's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Pace ace Tuffey, who last played international cricket in June 2004, recently enjoyed amnesty from New Zealand Cricket after a stint with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

"I haven't played a Test since 2004 and I thought my Test career was over even a year ago," Tuffey told the Dominion Post.

"I'd like to think I'm a little wiser after a couple of years out. I think I'm physically stronger than I was when I was playing a few years ago.

"I think I'm bowling a tad sharper than when I was a couple of years ago, especially the latter half of last summer I thought the ball was coming out really good and it was swinging as well."

Meanwhile, Reece Young has expressed astonishment at being selected for the Test squad.

"I was very surprised when the head of the selection panel, Glenn Turner, told me I had been picked as the Test back-up to Brendon McCullum," the wicketkeeper-batsman enthused.

"I expected to hear I was on the New Zealand A tour to India but to get told I was to tour Sri Lanka was pretty special."

The Auckland star, who beat Gareth Hopkins and Peter McGlashan to the role as McCullum's understudy, had a great season with the bat for Auckland, scoring more than 550 runs at an average of over 50.

"I think that my batting is probably what gave me a bit of an edge. My keeping has been pretty sound. It was the batting where I needed to show that I could hold my own," he added.

The 29-year-old is hoping to put his wealth of experience on the first-class scene to good use on the international stage.

"I feel as you get through the late 20s, you get to know your game a lot more. I feel I am a better player than in my early years. I know what I can do and can't do and it holds you in good stead for the next level," he concluded.

New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in two Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is in August and September.