Conditions Prompt New Zealand To Call Up Franklin

Conditions Prompt New Zealand To Call Up Franklin

James Franklin (right) in action during his last Test appearance in Wellington in April 2009.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Wet weather in Hamilton has led the New Zealand selectors to add Wellington all-rounder James Franklin to their squad ahead of the second Test against Australia, which starts on 27th March.

Having earlier named a 13-man squad including batsmen Kane Williamson and Mathew Sinclair, an early look at conditions at Seddon Park has resulted in Franklin's call-up to what is now a 14-man squad.

"There has been a lot of rain in Hamilton of late, and it is fair to say that the conditions we saw today at Seddon Park are, at this stage,  far different to those we experienced earlier in the season," selector Mark Greatbatch told New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) website (www.blackcaps.co.nz).

"We thought it prudent to have all our bases covered, and James does that for us."

Franklin is just coming off the back of an innings of 162 for Wellington in their recentmost Plunket Shield match and his left-arm fast-medium pace bowling has taken 80 Test wickets.

He last played a Test in April of last year when India ended their Test series in Wellington.

New Zealand Test squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brent Arnel, Martin Guptill, James Franklin, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

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