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
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 3rd ODI 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs 2nd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Cape Town Pakistan won by 81 runs

Munro, Guptill's Record Fifties to Thump SL [+]

Martin Guptill hammered the fastest fifty for New Zealand, which was broken just 20 mins later by Colin Munro help New Zealand hammer Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in 2nd T20I.

Guptill, Boult sets up Thrilling Kiwi Win [+]

In-form batsman Martin Guptill cracked 58 off 34 balls to set up New Zealand for a tense three-run win in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Guptill, Henry Leads New Zealand Series Win [+]

Martin Guptill struck another century and Matt Henry picked up five wickets, as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 36 runs in fifth ODI in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.

Guptill Leads Record-breaking Successful Chase [+]

Martin Guptill smashing an unbeaten 93 off 30 balls to help New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the second ODI at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday.

Henry Four-for hand Sri Lanka Drubbing [+]

Brendon McCullum's love affair with Hagley Oval continued, along with Martin Guptill's dream year, as New Zealand trounced Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first ODI on Saturday.

McCullum Announces International Retirement [+]

Under Brendon McCullum, New Zealand is unbeaten in tests at home since 2013 - a run of 13 matches - and reached the final of this year's one-day World Cup.

Williamson Becomes No.1 Test Batsman [+]

New Zealand phenomenon Kane Williamson shot to the top of the Test batting rankings Monday following his match-winning century against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand Claim ANZ Series against Sri Lanka [+]

Kane Williamson scores his 13th Test century as the New Zealand win second Test by five wickets and claim series by 2-0 against Sri Lanka in Hamilton on Monday.

New Zealand Close in on 2-0 cleansweep After Sri Lanka Collapse [+]

A hobbling Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to 142 for five at the close of play on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton, with the hosts needing another 47 runs to seal a 2-0 series sweep.

Chameera's Five Sent New Zealand on Backfoot [+]

Dushmantha Chameera takes five wickets as New Zealand finish at 232-9, trail Sri Lanka by 60 runs at stumps of second day of 2nd Test at Hamilton on Saturday.