New Zealand have dropped wicketkeeper Adam Parore from their 12-man squad for the first two one-dayers against England. His replacement is Chris Nevin, the 26-year-old from Wellington who has played 13 one-day internationals and will open the batting. "His selection provides for a new combination at the top of the order," said Sir Richard Hadlee, New Zealand's chairman of selectors, "and is aimed at getting the innings off to a more positive start." Since Nevin averages just 24 with the bat in ODIs, England won't exactly be quaking in their boots. Lou Vincent, who hit a punishing 43 from 42 balls against South Africa on Friday, drops into the middle order.

The absence of the find of the VB Series, Shane Bond, was a major disappointment for the selectors. Bond, who took 21 wickets and was named Player of the Series, has suffered a stress fracture of his left foot and may be out for up to six weeks (click here for story). He has been replaced by 20-year-old Ian Butler.

There's also a call-up for the giant seamer Daryl Tuffey, who hit the winning runs for Northern Districts in their three-wicket win over England on Friday. A year ago in the home one-day series against Pakistan, Tuffey picked up 13 cheap wickets, outbowling Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar in the process. "Tuffey was outstanding last season," said Hadlee, "and with this selection he has a chance to reignite his international career."

Four others who played in the VB Series in Australia are left out: Mark Richardson, the opener, who failed to adapt to the pace of the one-day game; the allrounders Dion Nash, who aggravated a side strain while batting, and Scott Styris; and the left-arm seamer James Franklin, who tailed away after a promising start and was hit for four successive sixes by Shaun Pollock at Perth.

"It is vitally important that the team move on from the disappointment of not playing well in the last two games in Australia," said Hadlee, who might have added that New Zealand lost the three matches before that as well. "The inclusion of two new players will help to freshen up the side and provide the team with a positive and enthusiastic outlook."

Despite his side's lame end to the VB Series, Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's captain, remains upbeat. "There's nothing like playing at home," he said. "The England tour is the highlight of the summer and we have to lift for that. I believe we will do that." But they haven't got much time to forget about their thrashing at the hands of South Africa – the first game starts at Christchurch on Wednesday.

New Zealand squad
1 Chris Nevin (wk), 2 Nathan Astle, 3 Stephen Fleming (capt), 4 Lou Vincent, 5 Craig McMillan, 6 Chris Cairns, 7 Brendon McCullum, 8 Chris Harris, 9 Andre Adams, 10 Daniel Vettori, 11 Ian Butler, 12 Daryl Tuffey.

Lawrence Booth is assistant editor of Wisden.com. His reports will appear here throughout England's tour of New Zealand.

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