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NZ pick Penn for Windies Test

New Zealand today gave medium-pace bowler Andrew Penn the chance of a Test debut against the West Indies, naming him in the home squad for the first Test starting in Hamilton on December 16.

The squad of 13 was largely predictable, with Central Districts' Penn, Dion Nash, Chris Cairns and Shayne O'Connor named as the four pace bowlers and Gary Stead winning the contentious top-order batting spot ahead of Mathew Sinclair.

Stead will open the batting with Matthew Horne, with Craig Spearman at number three, the same top three who performed well in New Zealand's last Test against India last month.

Batsman Craig McMillan has recovered from a broken finger while Nash still has to pass a fitness test but has progressed well in his recovery from back injury.

The squad, named for the first test only, allowed an extra fast bowler to be named as cover for Nash while two spinners, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman, were also included.

Penn has played three one-day international matches with limited success but was the leading wicket-taker in New Zealand domestic cricket last summer. He took 40 wickets, including two five-wicket bags.

He played the northern summer in England and was called into the New Zealand squad during the recent tour there to cover for injured Simon Doull. Penn made an impression on the selectors when he took six wickets against Leicester.

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

UNI