New Zealand have included Auckland's Lou Vincent in their 15-man squad for the three-Test tour of Pakistan in October. Vincent, an allrounder, has played in 17 one-day internationals but is yet to win a Test cap. But there's no room for another allrounder, Dion Nash, who is being treated with cotton wool following a lay-off because of injury. Jacob Oram will go instead.

Adam Parore returns as wicketkeeper, after losing his place to Chris Nevin for the one-day series in Pakistan later this month. There are also returns for left-arm seamer Shayne O'Connor, back after a knee injury, and slow left-armer Daniel Vettori, who hasn't played a Test since injuring his back against Zimbabwe in September 2000.

The squad in full Mark Richardson, Matthew Bell, Stephen Fleming (c), Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Adam Parore (wk), Lou Vincent, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Chris Martin, Shayne O'Connor, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl Tuffey.

Six players have also be named on standby for the Test series: Paul Wiseman, Brooke Walker, Shane Bond, Chris Nevin (wk), Hamish Marshall, Matthew Horne.

Chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, said: "This Test series is the start of a long hot summer ahead where we play eight consecutive Test matches before the New Year including three against the best team in world cricket - Australia. We will also play a further three Tests against England at home in March. Pakistan is an excellent place to start the campaign. The environment is conducive to developing team unity and culture, agreeing a playing style, and setting goals for the summer ahead."

The first Test will be at Peshawar (October 2-6), the second at Faisalabad (October 13-17), and the third at Karachi (October 20-24).

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