Vettori to miss India Test series

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WELLINGTON: A shoulder injury has ruled veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori out of the New Zealand cricket team to play two Tests in India later this month. Vettori damaged his right shoulder during New Zealand's recent Test series in the West Indies and was omitted from the 15-man squad named on Tuesday for the tour to India. Offspinner Jeetan Patel was included in Vettori's place and may make his first Test appearance since playing against Zimbabwe late last year. Australian-born batsman Dean Brownlie was dropped because of his lack of recent form. His place has been taken by allrounder James Franklin, who last played a Test for New Zealand in January 2011. The first Test begins at Hyderabad on August 23 with the second at Bengluru on August 31. "The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad," national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said. "Unfortunately Vettori won't recover in time for the 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." Veteran Chris Martin will lead a moderately experienced seam bowling attack in India, comprising Neil Wagner, who made his Test debut in the West Indies, along with left-armer Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee. Patel and young legspinner Tarun Nethula will provide the spin options to captain Ross Taylor. New Zealand lost their two-Test series against West Indies 2-0, let down mostly by the top-order batting, but the omission of Dean Brownlee is the selectors' only response to those failures.