Opener Rob Nicol’s lack of runs against South Africa’s potent pace attack has cost him his place in the New Zealand squad for the third cricket Test starting on Friday in Wellington.
The 28-year-old managed scores of just 2 and 1 in the crushing nine-wicket defeat in the second Test which lasted only three days in Hamilton.
His four Test innings against one of the best bowling attacks in the world yielded 28 runs.
His place has gone to Daniel Flynn, with the left-hander likely to open the batting with Martin Guptill.
Dean Brownlie also comes back into the squad after fracturing a finger while fielding in a one-dayer against Zimbabwe in February.
Seamer Brent Arnel, who went wicketless in Hamilton, was also axed.
Brownlie is making his return to cricket for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield match against Otago, which started on Sunday.
National selection manager Kim Littlejohn says they are mindful that the middle-order batsman was returning from a lengthy lay-off.
“We will keep a close eye on his progress. His selection for the Test will largely depend on how he pulls through the match for Canterbury,” he said.
Littlejohn was confident the 26-year-old Flynn, who played the last of his 16 Tests in December 2009, will make the most of his chance.
“(He) is having a very successful Plunket Shield with the bat for Northern. We are sure he will make the most of his opportunity to again represent his country,” he said.
Flynn has opened the batting only once for New Zealand, lasting three balls against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2009.
He has been in good form domestically, making centuries in Northern Districts’ past two Plunket Shield matches.
Trent Boult, who was surprisingly dropped for the second Test, is retained in the squad, as is Mark Gillespie who took 5-59 in South Africa’s first innings.
South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Flynn, Mark Gillespie, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tarun Nethula, Kruger van Wyk, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.
