Ian Butler's meteoric rise into the stratosphere of international cricket continued apace today with his inclusion in New Zealand's team for the first National Bank Test against England starting in Christchurch next Wednesday.

The Northern Districts fast bowler has been included because he has "something special", according to selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee.

He said it was only natural that at 20 years of age that he was inexperienced.

"But you can only gain experience by playing," he said.

And while Butler had bowled only nine expensive overs during the recent Test series, he would be a different prospect in the Test match.

"He has a very good attitude and he is something a little special," Hadlee said.

The team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Chris Cairns, Chris Drum, Matt Horne, Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Mark Richardson, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.

A significant factor in Butler's advance was his performance for ND against Wellington under the eye of CLEAR Black Caps skipper Fleming, who bore the pain of one ball that hit him on the hip causing him to require x-rays to see if there was any damage.

Fleming's say had been significant in the selection of the side.

Hadlee said: "The selectors asked Stephen Fleming to appraise Butler when he faced him in the last State Championship match. Fleming reported that Butler bowled fast and was difficult to deal with and this confirmed the selectors' view that Butler should be given an opportunity at Test level."

"His input is valuable in our final assessments," Hadlee said of Fleming's involvement. Field setting in Tests would also make Butler a different prospect.

Butler's inclusion has meant his ND team-mate Daryl Tuffey has missed inclusion in the side.

Tuffey had done very well for the one-day side but the selectors wanted to inject a little more pace and firepower, especially in the absence of Shane Bond, Hadlee said.

Cairns has told the panel that he would like to take the new ball in the Tests and Hadlee said he could see him fulfilling that role, although at the same time he said he didn't expect Butler would be bowling into the wind.

Drum will return to the scene of his unfortunate broken collar bone last summer against Pakistan at Jade Stadium and he gained his place in the side after his consistent success in New Zealand conditions and this is reflected in his State Championship figures this season of 28 wickets at an average of 10.71.

"Over his first-class career Drum has the impressive statistics of 187 wickets at 17.34. Chris has an ability to bowl into or down wind, swings the ball, and is able to produce consistent line and length for long spells," Hadlee said.

The choice of Vincent ahead of Mathew Sinclair came down to who performed best in tough conditions in Palmerston North in a recent State Championship game and Vincent had played the more significant innings.

"Mathew has done what has been asked and scored runs in domestic cricket but he had four misses in his last four innings," he said.

Andre Adams had been considered but coach Denis Aberhart said he still had work to do in the longer form of the game in terms of his patience and application.

The squad is selected for the first Test only and Hadlee said he did not think it would be affected by whatever pitch, drop in or natural, that the Test was played on.

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