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Twose dropped for India Test series

New Zealand cricket selectors today recalled batsman Craig Spearman to the squad but dropped Roger Twose for the three-Test tour of India, starting in October.

Spearman was brought in to strengthen the top order batting, convenor of selectors Ross Dykes said in a statement.

''Spearman was preferred on his previous Test experience and his form in the (domestic) Shell Trophy. The selectors had concerns about the form of Roger Twose and the role he currently plays in the Test line-up.''

Spearman has played eight Tests for New Zealand, with a batting average of 31.75, but had been restricted to domestic cricket since January 1998.

The team would be re-selected after the Tests, ahead of five one-day internationals against India in November, and it was likely Twose would be called up then, Dykes said. The break would allow him to rest a nerve injury in his back and regain his form.

Dykes said conditions in India would require a different mix of players to that in the just completed 2-1 Test series win over England.

Off-spinner Paul Wiseman was recalled to partner Daniel Vettori in place of youngster Brooke Walker.

''Wiseman was preferred for his experience of playing on the subcontinent and his proven success in similar pitch conditions,'' Dykes said.

In his Test debut last year, Wiseman took 5-82 against Sri Lanka.

Also dropped was Martyn Croy, while Geoff Allott and Simon Doull were out with injury.

All-rounder Chris Cairns is also injured but the selectors said they were confident that he would recover from tendonitis in his right knee in time to tour.

The squad:
Stephen Fleming (captain), Matthew Bell, Matthew Horne, Craig Spearman, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Chris Cairns, Shayne O'Connor, Andrew Penn, Chris Drum, Paul Wiseman, Daniel Vettori.

UNI