Doug Bracewell Back For New Zealand

Fast bowler Doug Bracewell has been recalled by New Zealand ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Bracewell, 24, has played 18 Tests, seven One-Day Internationals and 13 Twenty20 Internationals but last played a Test against Bangladesh in 2013.

He was dropped and fined earlier this year after he and Jesse Ryder indulged in a late-night drinking session during the home series against India.

Neither player had been picked for the opening Test and neither has played for their country since. Ryder has subsequently impressed during a spell at Essex and Bracewell played for New Zealand A in England this summer.

And Bracewell, who was ruled out of a series against England in 2013 after cutting his foot while cleaning up after a party, has now been offered a chance to get his international career back on track.

Opener Hamish Rutherford, who also enjoyed a strong tour of England with the A team, retains his place in the squad as Peter Fulton misses out.

"Doug had a very good NZ A tour and we just think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions will be important," head coach Mike Hesson said.

"Likewise Hamish demonstrated a lot of positives on that England tour. His balance was back and with that came his confidence," he added.

New Zealand have not beaten Pakistan in a Test series since 1984 but after recording a historic series win in the West Indies in June, confidence will be high as they head to the Emirates.

The first Test in Abu Dhabi begins on 9th November before the series moves on to Dubai and Sharjah. The two sides will then play two Twenty20 Internationals and five One-Day Internationals.

New Zealand Test squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

Meanwhile, a New Zealand XI squad to take on Ireland and Scotland has also been named.

Both sides are heading to New Zealand as part of their 2015 Cricket World Cup preparations and will play a strong team led by Brendon McCullum.

The team plays Scotland on 15th October and Ireland on 18th October and New Zealand will be using the matches as preparation for a three-game series against South Africa which begins on 21st October.

New Zealand XI squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

© Cricket World 2014