Wellington: New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori will miss the two-Test series against India after failing to recover from the groin strain he suffered in West Indies, the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday.
Vettori, New Zealand’s most capped Test cricketer, suffered a right abductor strain during the first Test against West Indies last month.
While the team under Ross Taylor are certain to miss Vettori’s experience in India’s spin-friendly conditions, they would expect Jeetan Patel, a 32-year-old off-spinner of Indian origin, to fill the void.
“Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won’t recover in time for the Test series but his injury has created an opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side,” national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said on the New Zealand cricket website (New Zealand Cricket - Welcome).
“Jeetan has been in great form for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity.”
Batsman Dean Brownlie made way for all-rounder James Franklin in the only other change to the squad that recently lost 2-0 in the Test series against West Indies.
“The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad,” Littlejohn added. “James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting.
“He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable.
“Dean Brownlie misses out on selection. We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game.”
Hyderabad hosts the first test from August 23, while the second match is scheduled in Bengaluru from August 31.
Vettori, New Zealand’s most capped Test cricketer, suffered a right abductor strain during the first Test against West Indies last month.
While the team under Ross Taylor are certain to miss Vettori’s experience in India’s spin-friendly conditions, they would expect Jeetan Patel, a 32-year-old off-spinner of Indian origin, to fill the void.
“Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won’t recover in time for the Test series but his injury has created an opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side,” national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said on the New Zealand cricket website (New Zealand Cricket - Welcome).
“Jeetan has been in great form for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity.”
Batsman Dean Brownlie made way for all-rounder James Franklin in the only other change to the squad that recently lost 2-0 in the Test series against West Indies.
“The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad,” Littlejohn added. “James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting.
“He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable.
“Dean Brownlie misses out on selection. We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game.”
Hyderabad hosts the first test from August 23, while the second match is scheduled in Bengaluru from August 31.
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