Boult back as New Zealand tackle India Tests

Hamilton: Trent Boult has been recalled by New Zealand for the two-match Test series against India after the pace attack leader recovered from a broken right hand.

The 30-year-old left-armer missed the ODIs and Twenty20 matches between the teams after suffering his injury during the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne.

However, he features in a 13-man squad ahead of the opening Test, which begins at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Friday.

Boult, who has 256 wickets from 65 Tests, is included alongside fellow quicks Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson, with Lockie Ferguson absent due to a calf injury and Ajaz Patel included as the spin option.

New Zealand squad for Test series against India:
Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wk).

Ross Taylor is due to win his 100th cap in the first Test, becoming the fourth New Zealand player to reach that mark, after Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming.

India will play two Tests in New Zealand to end their ongoing tour. The 1st Test will be played at Wellington from February 21 onwards. The 2nd Test will be played in Christchurch from February 29 onwards.

Opener Jeet Raval, spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner and paceman Matt Henry have all been jettisoned in the wake of the Black Caps' 3-0 Test series whitewash by Australia.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has been recalled for his first test since the tour of Sri Lanka last August, while Auckland paceman Kyle Jamieson has been included in place of the injured Lockie Ferguson.