Cricket: Nicholls to lead NZ A team against Pakistan

Black Cap Henry Nicholls will lead the New Zealand A team against Pakistan later this month. Photo / Nick Reed - NZ Herald.

Test batsman Henry Nicholls will lead the New Zealand A team in a three-day game against Pakistan at Nelson's Saxton Oval.

Lefthander Nicholls, who played one test on the recent tour of India, captains a side with the cream of New Zealand's best batsmen outside the test lineup, and a group of up-and-coming fast-medium bowlers in the match, Pakistan's only preparation for their two tests agtainst New Zealand.

Auckland's Jeet Raval, taken on the recent tour of Africa, but left out of the subsequent Indian tour, gets his chance opening with former test batsman Dean Brownlie, while Wellington's Tom Blundell will keep wicket.

The fast-medium trio will be Auckland's well-regarded Lockie Ferguson, Otago's Jacob Duffy and Canterbury's Ed Nuttall.

"It's an exciting opportunity for these guys to match up against a quality Pakistan side," national selector Gavin Larsen said.

"We've been impressed by the performances of these players in the Plunket Shield this year and last year, and see this as another step in their development.

"Performances for New Zealand A provide further information about these players' suitability for the international game and the selectors will be taking a keen interest."

Four players were not considered due to injury - speedster Adam Milne, left arm fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan and lefthand batsmen Colin Munro and George Worker.

One player, Scott Kuggeleijn, withdrew from consideration.

The New Zealand A team to play Pakistan at Nelson's Saxton Oval in a three-day game starting on November 11:

Henry Nicholls (C, Canterbury), Jeet Raval (Auckland), Dean Brownlie (Northern Districts), Will Young (Central Districts), Bharat Popli (ND), Tom Blundell (Wellington), Todd Astle (Canterbury), Colin de Grandhomme (Auckland), Lockie Ferguson (Auckland), Jacob Duffy (Otago), Ed Nuttall (Canterbury). Twelfth man: Shawn Hicks (Auckland).