New Zealand opted for the pace of Ian Butler when they named their 12-man squad today for the first Test against England at Christchurch which starts next Wednesday (March 14). Butler, 20, squeezed out his fellow Northern Districts seamer Daryl Tuffey, who bowled with real hostility in the recent one-day series. And there was no place for the top-order batsman Mathew Sinclair, who played in New Zealand's most recent Test, against Bangladesh, but loses out to Lou Vincent, who will bat at No. 3. Adam Parore returns to keep wicket after missing the one-dayers. Butler bowled just nine overs in two games during the one-day series and conceded 58 runs, but Sir Richard Hadlee, the chairman of selectors, was keen to inject some speed into the attack to make up for the absence of the injured Shane Bond. "Ian Butler is bowling fast and accurately," said Hadlee. "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." More than that, Butler actually hit Fleming on the thigh, forcing him to bat with a runner and have a precautionary X-ray, and that blow might have tipped the favour in his balance.

Sinclair, who averages 43 in his 18 Tests, paid the price for four recent failures in domestic cricket and deficiencies in his technique. "We believe he's had a lot of technical problems," said Hadlee, "but he continues to apply pressure to all of the six batsmen for a place."

Vincent had impressed the selectors after making 75 on a difficult pitch for Auckland against Central Districts recently. "That showed a bit of character and a lot of skill," said Hadlee.

The selection of Parore was inevitable after he and the selectors patched up their differences on Wednesday, and Hadlee said it came down to "wanting the best wicketkeeper to do the job. He is clearly the best that we have available, and arguably one of the best in the world. All is forgiven."

The pace attack is completed by three men called Chris: the swing bowler Chris Drum, who has taken 187 first-class wickets at just over 17; Chris Martin, who Hadlee admitted was "short of a gallop" when he opened the bowling for Canterbury against England in the current game but who bowls well to left-handers; and Chris Cairns, who has volunteered to take the new ball.

Opening the batting for New Zealand will be Matthew Horne, who hit 100 at Lord's in 1999, and Mark Richardson, who has a Test average of more than 54.

The squad in full Mark Richardson, Matthew Horne, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore (wk), Daniel Vettori, Chris Drum, Chris Martin, Ian Butler.

Lawrence Booth is assistant editor of Wisden.com.

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