Auckland opening batsman Tim McIntosh has been rewarded for impressive early season form with selection in the New Zealand cricket squad for the two-test series against the West Indies.
The 29-year-old left-hander scored 78 against the tourists yesterday to follow his 191 in a State Championship match lastweek.
He has scored 13 first-class centuries and replaces Aaron Redmond at the top of the order after the Otago opener failed to convince in seven test starts.
McIntosh, who was watched by national selectors yesterday, had played his way into the side with strong domestic performances and his innings against West Indies according to selection panel head Glenn Turner.
The selectors predictably recalled fit-again allrounders James Franklin and Jacob Oram to the squad but discarded pace spearhead Chris Martin and Tim Southee from the 12 along with batsman Peter Fulton.
Turner welcomed the return to form of Franklin and added that Oram would join the side in Dunedin for the first test after the end of his State Championship match in Napier.
Wellington paceman Mark Gillespie takes Martin's spot, while offspinner Jeetan Patel will serve as back up to captain Daniel Vettori.
"Mark Gillespie has shown good recent form, bowling a lot of overs and taking eight wickets in his last match - he becomes our strike bowler in this series," said Turner.
Turner said Martin would play in the domestic competition in an effort to build his fitness levels after injury.
The first test starts at the University Oval in Dunedin on December 11.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD
Daniel Vettori (c), Jamie How, Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel.
