Northern Districts pace bowler Tim Southee has been brought into the New Zealand cricket squad for the second test against Pakistan. Southee flew to Wellington yesterday morning to join the side for the start of the test today, after an abdominal injury ruled Shane Bond out of the series. "It was prettypleasing to get the call-up. It will be good to get back amongst the guys at this time - they are in a good space after their excellent result last week," he said. Southee's call-up followed an incident during the Northern Knights Plunket Shield match last week, where the Maungakaramea bowler was reported for unacceptable behaviour after using inappropriate language when Wellington was batting. Southee initially received a two-day match ban as a result, but the suspension was reduced to one day earlier this week. After sitting out Northland's one-day match against Hamilton on Sunday, NZ Cricket cleared Southee to play in Northern Districts Plunket Shield match against Auckland starting today, when he got the call-up for the national side. "It was all a bit messy - but it's been put aside and dealt with the way it should have been," he said about the incident. Southee was now focused on what Pakistan would bring to the table at the Basin Reserve. "They would be disappointed with the way the first test went, and they will be just as hard to beat, if not harder."
Southee was expecting a good bowling pitch at Wellington. "It's still under covers as it has been raining, but it should be a good wicket - it usually is in Wellington."
