Wiseman replaces Vettori

SYDNEY, OCT. 24 New Zealand today called up 31-year-old off- spinner Paul Wiseman to replace injured Daniel Vettori for their cricket tour of Australia.

The loss of the left-arm Vettori is a huge blow for New Zealand given their lack of quality slow bowlers. Wiseman was the predictable replacement for Vettori but his record will hardly concern the Australians when the three-Test series begins in Brisbane on November 8.

Wiseman has played 14 Tests, taking 34 wickets at an average of 43.82, including nine wickets from two Tests against Australia early last year. But his best performances have come with Vettori pinning down batsmen at the other end, and his record in five matches without the left-arm spinner is six wickets at 70.66.

Wiseman is expected to play against the Queensland Academy of Sport in Brisbane on Friday, with a maximum of two matches before the Tests to win the confidence of his captain Stephen Fleming. Wiseman's spot in the Test team isn't guaranteed, with central districts all-rounder Glen Sulzberger already on tour. But the 28-year-old Sulzberger has yet to play a Test and tour selectors might opt for experience against an Australian batting line-up already scoring plenty of runs in domestic matches. .

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Section  : Sport
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