New Zealand name Craig, Ronchi in Test squad

Cricket365
April 25, 2014

The uncapped Mark Craig and Luke Ronchi have been named in New Zealand's squad for June's Test series against the West Indies.

Spinner Jeetan Patel was reportedly named in the 15-man collective, too, but withdrew to focus on a full season with Warwickshire and be with his heavily pregnant wife.

All-rounder Jesse Ryder and fast bowler Doug Bracewell were not considered due to disciplinary issues, while batsman Peter Fulton was retained despite a poor stretch of form against India and the Windies recently.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ronchi has played 23 ODIs and 11 Twenty20 Internationals but is yet to represent the Black Caps in the longest format of the international game. Spinner Craig, meanwhile, has graduated to the Test fold on the back of 22 first-class wickets at an average of 39.72 for Otago this season.

"Luke provides us with middle-order batting cover as he's a good player of spin bowling. Mark has had a strong Plunket Shield, taking 22 wickets and his right-arm off-spinners will be valuable against their left-handed heavy top order batting line-up," said coach Mike Hesson.

"Mark has been in our sights for some time and was also chosen for our winter training squad. While we gained a convincing two-nil Test series victory against the West Indies in December, they'll be a totally different proposition in their conditions."

The first Test will get underway Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on 8 June. The Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Providence Stadium in Guyana
will host Tests two and three respectively.Two Twenty20 Internationals at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, will follow.

<b>Squad:</b> Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.