LINCOLN, New Zealand, CMC – Tom Latham will lead New Zealand A against West Indies in the three-day tour match starting Saturday, after Martin Guptill was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The change is one of two to the squad with James Neesham also called up to replace the ill Colin Munro.
Guptill picked up the injury while training with Auckland Aces while Munro has failed to recover in time from an illness he has fought for the last few days.
Left-hander Tom Latham … will lead New Zealand A against West Indies.
“We were really keen to see Martin and Colin in action at Bert Sutcliffe Oval and they’re naturally disappointed to be ruled out as well,” selector Gavin Larsen said.
“Colin is very short-term and is likely to be back for the start of the Ford Trophy competition next week. We’re confident Martin will be right for the start of the ODI series against the West Indies in mid-December, but will be monitoring him closely.”
Latham, a 25-year-old left-hander, averages 38 from 32 Tests, and has already been named in the Test squad to face West Indies in the upcoming two-Test series.
And Larsen believes his inclusion in the NZ A-side will help in his preparation.
“The silver lining is that it provides a good chance for Tom to get an early look at the West Indies’ bowling attack, while also an opportunity for Jimmy to push his case going forward too.”
The match at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval is the only warm-up fixture before the Test series which will see matches at at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from December 1-5 and at Seddon Park in Hamilton from December 9-13.
West Indies arrived on Tuesday from a training camp in Australia, to finalise their preparation for the series.
