Five dropped from Black Caps squad

Auckland opener Jeet Raval, Canterbury's legspinning allrounder Todd Astle and Auckland allrounder Colin de Grandhomme are the new faces in the New Zealand test squad to face Pakistan in Christchurch next week.

While Raval, in for the out of sorts Martin Guptill, and Astle - a swap for the injured Mitchell Santner - had been predicted, the big hitting de Grandhomme is a surprise.

Harare-born de Grandhomme's international action has been limited to five short form matches in 2012. He made a match-winning century for Auckland against Otago last week.

"Since Colin returned from injury last season, he's made a number of key contributions with bat and ball," national selection convenor Gavin Larsen said.

"He's made an impressive start to the current Plunket Shield season and he provides us with another strong allrounder option."

Astle, who played one test, Ross Taylor's last as captain in Sri Lanka in 2012, and de Grandhomme drop out of the New Zealand A squad to play Pakistan in a three-dayer starting in Nelson tomorrow. They are replaced by Canterbury seamer Kyle Jamieson and veteran Wellington allrounder Luke Woodcock.

Five players who were in India recently for the 3-0 drubbing, are out - seamer Doug Bracewell, offspinner Jeetan Patel, wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi, legspinner Ish Sodhi and Guptill.

Tim Southee, fresh off a five-wicket haul in Northern Districts' Plunket Shield win over Canterbury, returns to the test squad after missing the Indian matches with a foot injury, and New Zealand will need to perm at least one from Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry and Southee for the test, starting next Thursday at Hagley Oval.

Raval has been pushing for a while, had a strong domestic season in 2015-16 and was taken on the tour to Africa which preceded the Indian trip. However he was left at home for the Indian tour. There have been questions raised over his ability against quality spin early in his innings.

"Jeet has been in the picture for a while now and he benefitted from spending time in the environment during the tour of Africa. His form in recent seasons has been excellent and the opportunity for Jeet to begin his international career in familiar conditions will be important," Larsen said.

Henry Nicholls returns after missing the last test in India and Pakistan offer him a chance to make the No 5 spot his own. Ronchi, who played all three tests in India as a middle order batsman, has been jettisoned, despite a couple of solid performances against India's spinners.

Six players were not considered due to injury, Santner, offspinner Mark Craig, fast bowlers Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan, batsmen Colin Munro, and George Worker.

Allrounder Corey Anderson was also not in contention, as he continues to work on building up his bowling work load.

Black Caps test Squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Todd Astle
Trent Boult
Colin de Grandhomme
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Henry Nicholls
Jimmy Neesham
Jeet Raval
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Neil Wagner
BJ Watling