New Zealand's batsmen have escaped selectorial blood-letting after today's embarrassing 299-run loss to Pakistan at Eden Park.

Despite the fact that New Zealand's batting suffered its second-worst collapse in 71 years of Test cricket history, it is bowlers who have been given the heave-ho by the selectors.

Out go James Franklin, Paul Wiseman and Brooke Walker (although he never played in the game) and in come Chris Drum, Grant Bradburn and Jacob Oram.

Selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said the batsmen are the experienced players in New Zealand's side.

"The bowlers are our least experienced. Unfortunately, they are the casualties," he said.

The main reason for the changes were the lack of depth in the batting and the inability to restrict runs by bowling maidens or to take wickets.

The second Test starts in Christchurch on Thursday and the New Zealand team will be:

Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Matthew Bell, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Jacob Oram, Grant Bradburn, Chris Drum, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin.

Hadlee said it was disappointing for Wiseman and Franklin.

"Wiseman clearly didn't bowl well enough. Whilst he was spinning, the ball his accuracy was not there and that takes pressure off the batsmen.

"If we can't take wickets we need to keep it tight and frustrate batsmen out. That's what was successful in the 1980s and we need to revert to a little frustration," he said.

Hadlee said that Grant Bradburn, who last played Test cricket in 1992/93, was fitter than ever, keener than ever, more mature and would be able to bowl to his limitations.

It was also disappointing for Franklin, Hadlee said.

"He's had a huge season, he's impressed and he's got the talent. He did well in the One-Day Internationals and he has had a tough initiation to Test cricket at Eden Park.

"What we've seen though is that he hasn't swung the ball and he looks a little tired. He has a chance and has been named in the Selection XI to play Central Districts at Lincoln."

All players would be considered for the third Test team, Hadlee said.

The Selection XI which will play Central Districts at Lincoln University during the second Test in either a three-day game or a one-day game and a two-day game was also named. The game is intended to keep prospective Test players in action now the domestic cricket season has finished while also giving the Central Districts team some match preparation before they take part in the Perth provincial championship.

It is: Gary Stead (captain), Jarrod Englefield, Chris Gaffaney, Lou Vincent, Aaron Redmond, Gareth Hopkins, Brooke Walker, Paul Wiseman, James Franklin, Shayne O'Connor, Kerry Walmsley.

© CricInfo