One new cap in CLEAR Black Caps Test side

Wellington left-arm pace bowler James Franklin has been named in the CLEAR Blacks Caps Test side to play Zimbabwe at the Basin Reserve starting on Boxing Day.

"We are impressed with Franklin's form in domestic cricket so far this season and he performed very well with the BIL Academy side to India during the off-season. Some say that he is a better batsman than bowler, but we like both options and think he has strong potential as a top-class all-rounder for the future," said the chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee.

"We have a number of fast bowling injury worries and we looked hard at several possibilities, including Simon Doull, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Drum and Warren Wisneski before settling on Franklin.

"It's been a very difficult side to put together, with several of the places being hotly debated. The senior players now have a point to prove as we've stuck with them. This is hard on Hamish Marshall, who impressed us greatly with his one innings of 40 not out in the last Test in South Africa. However, we had to make way for Matt Horne, who but for injury is the Test incumbent opener. We also looked very closely at Gary Stead, Matthew Bell and Craig Spearman, all of whom have had some recent form. Providing they continue to get runs, these players are very much in the frame for the Pakistan Test series later in the season.

"It was tempting to try some more new blood for this one-off Test, but it's a match we want to win and there's plenty of cricket between now and the naming of the next Test side in March for other players to put real pressure on the incumbents."

Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as captain for the series against Zimbabwe, including the One Day Internationals. "We have every confidence in Stephen and are sure he's the best man for the job," Sir Richard said.

The team is:

Stephen Fleming (Wellington, captain)
Mark Richardson (Otago)
Nathan Astle (Canterbury)
Adam Parore (Auckland)
Paul Wiseman (Otago)
Chris Martin (Canterbury)
Matt Horne (Otago)
Mathew Sinclair (Central Districts)
Craig McMillan (Canterbury)
Brooke Walker (Auckland)
Shayne O'Connor (Otago)
James Franklin (Wellington)

Walker is named subject to a fitness test on an injured leg and shoulder. Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, and Kerry Walmsley were not considered through injury and Chris Cairns will be considered for the One Day series against Zimbabwe which starts in Taupo on January 2, providing he comes through the next three Shell Cup games for Canterbury without his leg injury giving him problems. Sir Richard said its possible Cairns could play as a batsman only on the ODIs.