New Zealand vs India 2014: Jimmy Neesham and Tom Latham included in NZ squad for 2nd Test

Jimmy Neesham (R) of the New Zealand XI bowls during the International tour match between New Zealand XI and England at Queenstown Events Centre on February 27, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand.

New Zealand’s cricket selection committee have decided to call up uncapped Jimmy Neesham and Tom Latham to their squad for their second Test against India in Wellington.

They are being bought as replacements to Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell who are suspended after being involved in a bar fight on the eve of the Auckland Test last week.

Tom Latham will be taking Ryder’s place in the squad. He could also be covering for man in form, Ross Taylor who is expecting his second born and might sit out of the next Test if the baby is not born before the start of the Test.

“Tom’s an incredibly exciting prospect and is constantly pushing for selection. If called upon, we’re confident that he’ll take the opportunity with both hands,”  national selection manager Bruce Edgar said.

While all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who plays first-class cricket for the Auckland, is being brought in as a replacement to Bracewell.

“We see Jimmy as a genuine all-rounder who can play a number of roles for us. His form with both bat and ball in the Plunket Shield this season speaks for itself,” said Edgar.

“We’ve been able to keep a settled side recently and strung together some successful results along the way. We hope to keep that going, but are well aware India will come back at us hard,” he concluded.

New Zealand leads the Test series with a 1-0 win over India in Auckland.

New Zealand squad for 2nd Test: Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, BJ Watling (wk), Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.