Cricket: Watling called into Black Caps

New Zealand cricket selectors have named one new face and made three recalls to the Black Caps' squad for next month's limited overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Injured skipper Daniel Vettori and all rounder Jacob Oram, who announced his retirement from the test arena this week, have been named but will be subject to fitness assessments on their hamstrings, strained at the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa.

Jesse Ryder, Daryl Tuffey, Brendon Diamanti and Grant Elliott were not considered for selection as they are recovering from injuries sustained during the Champions Trophy.

Northern Districts batsman BJ Watling is the new face in the Black Caps, and is rewarded for a strong season with the bat.

South African-born Watling, 24, finished third in the 2008/09 State Shield batting averages and MVP rankings, with an average of 63.62 including a top score of 113 not out, against Auckland in January.

He toured this year with the New Zealand emerging players in Australia, hitting scores of 94 and 115 not out, and recorded a top score of 97 with the New Zealand A side in India.

He will also provide wicketkeeping cover.

Back in the side are Scott Styris, Tim Southee and Nathan McCullum while Aaron Redmond comes in as a top order batsman - a role he filled after being called in to the Champions Trophy when Ryder was invalided out.

All rounder Styris last played a one-day international against India in March.

He was called into the Champions Trophy squad as cover for Elliott, but was not required to play.

Pace bowler Southee last played in limited-overs internationals during last summer's Chappell-Hadlee series and India tour and Nathan McCullum returns after playing in the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka.

Vettori, now also a selector, said despite a number of injuries in the wider squad, there was close competition for key places in the side.

"This tour is a good opportunity for Watling to get a taste of top level cricket - as selectors we believe he's got strong potential as a top order batsman.

"Aaron made a strong case for his inclusion with confident performances at the world Twenty20 and Champions Trophy.

"Nathan and Tim will give us flexibility and options which will suit the short, sharp nature of this tour - but Jeetan Patel and Iain O'Brien are continuing to push hard for places in the squad."

Vettori said he was pleased to be able to take a strong side to the UAE series.

"Coming off a great performance in the Champions Trophy there's a confidence in the squad that we can do well in this series on neutral ground.

" It's disappointing that we will be without some key players - but our campaign in South Africa showed there's depth in the squad, with a number of players available to step up and perform."

Meanwhile, Elliott (broken right thumb) and Tuffey (broken right hand) appear to be recovering and will be reassessed prior to the test series against Pakistan at home.

Ryder, who is receiving treatment for an abdominal tear and adductor strain, will also be reassessed prior to the test series against Pakistan.

Diamanti suffered a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade during the Champions Trophy but was not diagnosed until MRI scans were performed on his return to New Zealand.

The Black Caps leave New Zealand for Dubai on October 27.

The first of three one-day internationals against Pakistan is on November 3 at Abu Dhabi. The series closes with two Twenty20 matches on November 12 and 13 at Dubai before both teams travel to New Zealand for the three-test series.

- NZPA