Daniel vettori out of india tour

Daniel vettori who missed the second Test against West Indies with a groin injury has been ruled out from the tour of India. He will be replaced by Jeetan Patel, who has been recalled following an excellent county season for Warwickshire. James Franklin, who was long considered to be an ODI specialist has also been named. Dean Brownlie, who endured a miserable tour of West Indies has been axed. Those were the only two changes from the squad that recently finished a disappointing tour of the Caribbean Islands where they lost in all formats of the game. 

"The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad," the national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said. "Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won't recover in time for the Test series but his injury has created and opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side. Jeetan has been in great from for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity." 

"James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting. He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable. Dean Brownlie misses out on selection. We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game. There's no doubt he will work hard to regain selection." 

In Vettori's absence, Tarun Nethala, the Indian born leg-break bowler will in all probability be the lead spinner on what should be a tough series. However, if New Zealand insist on just one spinner, Nethula will have to fight with the in-form Patel for a spot in the final eleven. 

Vettori has been the key spinner for New Zealand for well over a decade and his absence will be a crippling blow for a team which is already struggling for success in the longer forms of the game. 

Vettori has had 112 appearances for his country and is the second highest wicket taker with 360 wickets. The tour starts with the 1st Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on the 23rd of August. 

Team: Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor (c), Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, James Franklin, Kruger van Wyk (wk), Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Tarun Nethula, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.