The New Zealand selectors have decided to show faith in the duo of Martin Guptill and Mark Craig by retaining them in the 12-man squad for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka.

Guptill has been struggling for form in 2015 scoring just 222 runs from five Test matches at an average of 22.20 including two fifties.

Craig on the other hand has taken 20 wickets from the six Test matches he played this year but at an average of 45.75 runs per wicket.

Expressing confidence in Guptill and Craig, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said: “Mark (Craig) and Martin (Guptill) didn’t perform to the level they would have liked over in Australia, but both have shown in the past what they’re capable of and we’re confident they’ll make valuable contributions in the upcoming series.”

The selectors have decided to exclude Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Luke Ronchi and Hamish Rutherford - all of whom have been in the squad for the recently concluded Australian tour. 

Having failed to recover from their back injuries, all-rounders Corey Anderson and James Neesham have also been sidelined from the selection.

New Zealand have also named a squad for the Board President’s XI captained by Canterbury’s Ryan McCone for a three-day tour game against Sri Lanka.

Hesson was also impressed by the displays of Mitchell Santner and Neil Wagner, both of whom have retained their places in the squad. 

Santner scored 31 and 45 in New Zealand’s two innings in Adelaide against Australia while managing to take two wickets in the match.

Wagner did not get a chance to play in the Test series against Australia, but made his mark in the tour game against Western Australia XI with a five-wicket haul.

“The level of composure Mitchell showed on debut was very impressive and he certainly displayed how exciting a player he is with both the bat and ball,” Hesson said.

“His ability to bat in the top six and bowl good overs gives us options and assists the team balance.

“We’re looking forward to watching Mitchell’s continued development.

“Neil impressed in Australia and not only showed that he’ll run in hard all day, but was swinging the ball again.” 

The two-match Test series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will get underway on 10th December and will be followed by five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals.

Source: Cricket World