Kruger Van Wyk To Step In For Injured Watling

New Zealand Add Van Wyk To Test Squad

BJ Watling will miss the first Test in Dunedin and will be replaced by Kruger van Wyk

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand will hand wicket-keeper Kruger van Wyk a debut in the first Test against South Africa which gets underway on Wednesday (7th March) in Dunedin.

He will replace BJ Watling, who has been ruled out of the match due to a hip injury, behind the stumps.

"The decision was based on a re-assessment made after training today by BJ and myself,” said New Zealand Cricket (NZC) physiotherapist Paul Close.

"The nature of the injury is such that we were concerned about BJ’s ability to get through the match, based the high workload required by a wicket-keeper batsman.

"He requires further assessment find out the best course of action and to determine how long it is until he’s back playing."

Van Wyk is the third uncapped player to be named in the squad after Rob Nicol and Andrew Ellis were originally selected.

South African-born van Wyk was included in New Zealand's Test squad to face Zimbabwe in January but was eventually left out as Watling was preferred.

New Zealand Test squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Rob Nicol, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Kruger van Wyk

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