Chairman of selectors Hadlee announces Test team to Pakistan Photograph © CricInfo

Good form developed by Mark Richardson and Matthew Bell in New Zealand's Test series against Pakistan last summer has seen them ensconced as the preferred combination for the return series next month.

That means there is no room in the team announced today by selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee for Matthew Horne.

Horne batted with a broken hand while scoring a century in last summer's first Test, a victory over Zimbabwe, then played the Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe. He contracted a virus that forced him out of cricket before the start of the Pakistan series.

Instead of Horne's experience, the selection panel of Hadlee, Ross Dykes, Brian McKechnie and Denis Aberhart have decided the form shown on the New Zealand A tour of India by Lou Vincent is worth rewarding.

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

Hadlee said that as the incumbents, Richardson and Bell, had performed so well with three partnerships in excess of 50 last summer, including a stand of 181 in the 407/4 declared in the third Test innings victory over Pakistan, they would continue but Horne was "still very much in the frame."

He too had some good form on the Indian tour with NZ A but it was a case of easing him back into international play and he would be considered when the time was right.

"Lou Vincent has been in magnificent form in India and his selection has been well advanced and the natural progression for him is to continue in the Test side," he said.

Hadlee pointed to the century Vincent scored in the Buchi Babu tournament against Indian Railways which secured the chance for victory and a place in the final. His 102 not out off 102 balls was backed up by a century in the final.

"The team needed something special to win in that semi-final and he did it," he said.

Just where Vincent would fit into the batting line-up was not the selectors' consideration. He was versatile enough to fit in from three to five but when his selection for a Test match became an issue it would be decided by the on-tour selectors.

The selection of Vincent is clearly a rare chance for the selectors to put the pressure on middle-order incumbents, who have been largely unchallenged for their places in recent seasons.

Jacob Oram is another whose international status has blossomed. The specially managed return of all-rounder Dion Nash to international play has allowed Oram the chance to build on his experiences and he is seen as a genuine contender for the No 3 bowling role in the side.

"He has advanced from a No 4 bowler to a No 3 and has intimidated Indian batsmen in their conditions with the A side," he said.

Shayne O'Connor's return to the side was no surprise. He is the most senior of the pace merchants available for selection, and his role of leadership in Africa last year in the absence of Chris Cairns, the now retired Geoff Allott and Nash was acknowledged today by Hadlee.

"Shayne O'Connor did exceptionally well in Africa last year and was resilient," he said.

The continued advancement of Daryl Tuffey, with Chris Martin and James Franklin as supporting bowlers, meant the pace attack was experienced as it could be, Hadlee said.

The selectors had been very impressed with Shane Bond's work on the NZ A tour in India and he was considered very closely for the tour. Hadlee said he could well be a prospect for the next New Zealand tour, to Australia in November.

Bond is the only paceman named among the six standby players also announced today. They are: Paul Wiseman, Brooke Walker, Bond, Chris Nevin, Hamish Marshall and Matthew Horne.

Glen Sulzberger won the place as the back-up spinner to Daniel Vettori as the result of his successes on the NZ A tour where he has proven the best of the spinners.

Hadlee said Vettori, who has been on a managed return to the bowling crease after a stress fracture in his back was diagnosed last year, was bowling 25 overs a day at the moment, and backing that up the next day.

The side has been in camp in Christchurch as preparation for the tour and Hadlee had addressed those players in New Zealand on the selectors' thinking for the season ahead.

"This Test series [Pakistan] 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," he said.

The New Zealand-based players for the One-Day International series leave from Christchurch tomorrow.

© CricInfo