There is no room for pace bowlers Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in the New Zealand cricket team to play India in the first Test starting at Hyderabad on Thursday.

New coach Mike Hesson unveiled a side that features a three-pronged seam attack comprising Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult.

Southee and Wagner miss out after mixed returns on the recent tour of the West Indies.

Jeetan Patel will carry the spin bowling load, with Hesson deciding against handinglegspinner Tarun Nethula his first Test cap.

Allrounder James Franklin makes a return to Test cricket in a middle order batting role while his left-arm seam bowling ability is likely to be called on.

Kane Williamson returns to No.3 in the batting order, pushing Daniel Flynn to five after Flynn was used as an opener during the 2-0 Test series loss to the West Indies.

Veteran Brendon McCullum has been promoted to open alongside Martin Guptill at Hyderabad, where he compiled his highest Test score of 225 two years ago.

Captain Ross Taylor said conditions had played a role in the bowling selection.

“Franklin batting at six gives a good balance to our side and gives us an extra bowling option as well,” Taylor told journalists.

“Every day we have been here so far, it has been cloudy. We are expecting it to swing. It swung in training and hopefully it can swing for five days as well.”

New Zealand team: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Kruger Van Wyk, Doug Bracewell, Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult, Chris Martin.