Chris Martin and Peter Fulton have been named in the New Zealand squad for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Martin has recovered from a hamstring injury which kept him out of the Black Caps' recent tour to Bangladesh, while Fulton's form for the New Zealand A team has seen him earn a recall.

Grant Elliott, who replaced Jacob Oram during the tour in the sub-continent, remains with the squad.

There is no room for spinner Jeetan Patel in the 15-man squad for the match at the Gabba which starts on November 20, but captain Daniel Vettori said he was likely to feature in the second Test in Adelaide.

While a 15-man squad had been named for the opening Test only 13 players would travel to Australia with Fulton remaining in New Zealand to play domestic cricket and wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins heading to Brisbane on the eve of the first Test and remaining until play starts to cover for Brendon McCullum.

Martin has been slowly beefing up his workload during the past couple of weeks.

He started bowling outdoors again 10 days ago and after a hit-out for Auckland against Northern Districts this week and with some club cricket this weekend and the warm-up game against New South Wales in Sydney next week, he believes he will be firing come the opening Test.

"All I need is some more cricket in my legs and the proposition of going to Australia is an exciting one so I'm trying my best to get there," he told PA Sport.

The Black Caps' last visit to Brisbane in 2004 was not a happy one for the team as they lost by an innings and 156 runs after being skittled for 76 in their second innings.

But Martin managed a five-wicket haul, claiming the wickets of Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Kasprowicz and Glenn McGrath as he notched figures of five for 152 and said the Gabba was a ground he enjoyed playing at.

"I remember getting four of those wickets on the hook so perhaps a little bit more conventional this time would help," he said with a grin.

"But the bounce and swing in Brisbane are always going to help a guy like myself and help guys like Kyle Mills, Tim Southee and Iain O'Brien as well. We definitely have the seam attack on that wicket to play well."

Martin has watched with interest Australia's struggles in India and is hoping they can continue at least until the end of the two Test series as the Black Caps go in search of their first Test series win on Australian soil since 1985.

"It's always nice to see Australia struggling at times and I think the fact that they have been on top for so long means that they're going to have to take the odd hit on the way down at some stage," he said.

"I'm glad India have started that. I don't know how long it will continue but I'm hoping that New Zealand are more than up to the task of playing well against them as well."

New Zealand's tour match against New South Wales starts on Thursday.

New Zealand squad to play Australia: Daniel Vettori (captain), Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Daniel Flynn, Brendon McCullum, Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien, Kyle Mills, Mark Gillespie.