Kiwi pacer Arnel all set to debut against Australia

Sydney, Mar 18 : New Zealand seamer Brent Arnel (31) is all set to make his debut against Australia for Friday’s first Test against in Wellington’s Basin Reserve cricket ground.

Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said the pitch appears to have a bit of grass on top and may suit a four-man pace attack, rather than including second spinner Jeetan Patel.

“It depends how much it dries over the next little while,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Vettori, as saying.

“If you looked at it now you’d say it’s got a bit of greenness in it and a bit of moisture so you look at the seamers. But we’ll delay that decision as late as we can.

“We’re trying to pick a team that can cover every option. You know what you’re going to get when you come to the Basin,” he said.

“He (Arnel) has been waiting in the wings a little while and has been involved in a few squads. Hopefully if he does get the nod then he is ready,” Vettori added.

New Zealand Test squad: Daniel Vettori (Capt), Brent Arnel, Martin Guptill, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, B.J. Watling.