New Zealand Squad for Sri Lanka Test

Wellington: Spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been retained in New Zealand's 12-man squad for the two-match test series against Sri Lanka after an impressive debut in the third and final test against Australia.

The Hamilton-born 23-year-old, who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm spin, replaced seamer Matt Henry for the inaugural day-night test at Adelaide Oval, taking two wickets and scoring 76 runs in tough conditions for batsmen.

New Zealand, beaten 2-0 in a hard-fought three-match series against Australia, host Sri Lanka in the first test in Dunedin from Dec. 10, with the second in Hamilton on Dec. 18.

All twelve of the squad toured Australia.

Selectors have backed opening batsman Martin Guptill to dig himself out of his form slump and also retained spinner Mark Craig, who endured a tough tour.

"Mark and Martin 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," Hesson said.

All-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham were not available for selection due to fitness issues, while Henry, Luke Ronchi and Hamish Rutherford were released from the squad to return to their domestic sides.

Neil Wagner has been included in the New Zealand Board President's XI, which will take on the Sri Lankans in a three-day warm-up match that begins on December 3.

New Zealand Test squad: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (capt), BJ Watling (wk), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner

President's XI squad: Ryan McCone (capt), James Baker, Joe Carter, Joel Harden, Shawn Hicks, Tim Johnston, Ken McClure, Matt McEwan, Glenn Phillips, Bharat Popli, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

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