March 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand named the following squad on Tuesday to play England in the third and final test starting in Auckland on Friday. The series is tied 0-0.
New Zealand squad:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (Compiled by Ian Ransom; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
March 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand have provisionally named paceman Doug Bracewell in a 14-man squad for the third and final test against England starting in Auckland on Friday, pending his recovery from a domestic one-day match.
The 22-year-old missed the first two drawn tests after cutting his foot on glass when cleaning up at a party at his home in the leadup to the series, for which he apologised to his team mates for letting them down.
Bracewell's recovery would be tested in the Central Stags' clash with the Canterbury Wizards in Christchurch on Wednesday before a call would be made on his availability for the final test at Eden Park, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Two other test squad members who were yet to feature in the series - fast bowler Ian Butler and uncapped opening batsman Tom Latham - would also play in the domestic competition on Wednesday before joining the squad in Auckland, NZC added.
"Doug's availability creates a real battle for spots for this deciding test against England," Blackcaps head coach Mike Hesson said.
"It also helps to manage the workload for a group of bowlers who have carried a heavy load during the first two tests."
New Zealand squad:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
By Greg Stutchbury
WELLINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - New Zealand took three wickets to slow England's march towards a massive first innings total, but the visitors are still in a strong position at 353 for five at lunch on the second day of the second test on Friday.
Kevin Pietersen was on 68, reaching his 30th test half century despite some nervous moments when he was dropped once and gave New Zealand's fielders a half chance as he charged left arm spinner Bruce Martin. Matt Prior was on 15 at the break.
England had started the day in a strong position on 267 for two, with Jonathan Trott on 121 and Pietersen on 18 and looking to consolidate in the first hour of play and lay the foundation for a possible declaration later in the day.
After Pietersen safely negotiated the first over of the day, Trott was dismissed on the first delivery he faced from left arm pace bowler Trent Boult when he pushed away from his body and feathered a catch to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
Pietersen, who made just 12 runs in the drawn first test, seemed anxious to get into his naturally attacking game but he was lucky to still be at the crease at the break.
The tall right hander got a thick top edge to a Tim Southee bouncer on 40 and while Watling got a hand to it, he was able only to parry it away, with the visitors on 300 for three.
The hosts, however, did not have to wait long before they managed to make another breakthrough when Ian Bell, who had looked comfortable in making 11, charged Martin and only succeeded in lofting the ball to Peter Fulton, leaving the visitors on 302 for four.
Joe Root then continued his poor run in the tests in New Zealand after a superb one-day series when Martin managed to get some bounce and turn that will pique the interest of England's Monty Panesar and Watling took the catch to dismiss the 22-year-old for 10.
Nick Compton and Trott had exploited a good batting surface on a sun-drenched first day at the Basin Reserve to combine for a 210-run second wicket partnership.
The third match of the series is at Eden Park in Auckland from March 22-26.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
March 4 (Reuters) - New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell is a doubt for the first test against England, which starts in Dunedin on Wednesday, after cutting his foot on glass when cleaning up after a house party.
"He's got a cut on the inside of his right foot at the moment," a New Zealand Cricket spokesman said on Monday.
"He's walking, they don't know too much about the injury at this stage.
"It'll be decided tomorrow as to whether he'll play."
The 22-year-old would miss training at Dunedin's University Oval on Monday, but no other player had been called in as cover, the spokesman added.
Following Dunedin, New Zealand host England in the second test in Wellington from March 14, with the third and final test in Auckland starting March 22.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
