Fulton dropped, Bracewell recalled

Seamer Doug Bracewell has been recalled and batsman Peter Fulton dropped for New Zealand’s Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in November.

Bracewell hasn’t played international cricket since October 2013, largely due to disciplinary reasons, but has secured a fine stretch of form at domestic level recently. Fulton’s last 10 Test innings have brought just 63 runs.

“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,” said coach Mike Hesson.

“Pakistan is an incredibly tough team to play in conditions favourable to them. Our record against Pakistan is actually the worst against any of the Test playing nations, having won just two out of 19 series, both home and away.”

Opening batsman Hamish Rutherford has been retained despite losing a central contract earlier this year, while spinner Mark Craig has been afforded the chance to build on an impressive debut against the West Indies in June.

“Hamish demonstrated a lot of positives. His balance was back and with that came his confidence. Mark had an outstanding first series in spin-friendly conditions and really stepped up to the level required in Test cricket. Now the challenge for him is to deliver on his second tour when the opposition will know more about him,” added Hesson.

The Paksitanis and Black Caps will meet for three Tests – at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium – between 9 and 30 November. Two Twenty20 Internationals and five ODIs will follow.

Test squad: Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.

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