Test squad for the 1st match against South Africa:
Ross Taylor (capt), Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Rob Nicol, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
Ellis? Seriously? I'd love to know what role he could possibly play in a Test match. We'll play the 4 seamers anyway so hopefully he's no chance.
Is Nicol good enough to open in Test cricket against Steyn and Philander? Reward good form I guess. Maybe down the order to allow McCullum to continue opening?
I'd select from this squad:
Guptill
McCullum
Williamson
Taylor
Nicol
Vettori
Watling+
Bracewell
Southee
Boult
Martin
Happy so see Ryder given the flick from the Test side. No dramas with Nicol getting picked. Interesting that two guys who are right up there in Plunket Shield will probably never get another look-in, Sinclair and James Marshall. Franklin averaging 90 but no match for South Africa's bowling.