WELLINGTON, Oct 11: Uncapped Todd Astle was on Thursday included in New Zealand’s Test squad for their upcoming cricket tour of Sri Lanka.

Astle, from Canterbury province, averages 22 with the bat in New Zealand’s domestic first-class competition and has taken 127 wickets at 34.79 with his leg breaks.

The 26-year-old all-rounder is the only new cap included in the New Zealand squad which will play one Twenty20 International, five One-day Internationals and two Tests in Sri Lanka between Oct 30 and Nov 29.

Selection manager Kim Littlejohn said: “Astle has the ability to contribute in all three facets of the game and deserves his opportunity.”

The ODI and T20 squad includes 12 players who took part in the recent ICC World Twenty20 hosted by Sri Lanka.

Former captain Daniel Vettori was not considered for the tour because of an Achilles tendon injury.

Opening batsman Rob Nicol has been recalled to the Test squad while left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult and all-rounders Tom Latham and Andrew Ellis rejoin the T20 and one-day squad.

“It has been a demanding period for the Blackcaps, especially for the players who compete in all three forms,” Littlejohn said.

“As part of the on-going management of player workload we have decided to rest Martin Guptill for the T20 and ODI matches so he can refresh for the upcoming international commitments.

“Doug Bracewell will miss the short-form matches so he can spend some time working on a few minor technical issues with his action. The best approach is to spend time getting things right in domestic four-day cricket ahead of the Test series.”

Squads: ODI and Twenty20: Ross Taylor (captain), Trent Boult, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Roneel Hira, Rob Nicol, Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, B.J. Watling, Kane Williamson.

Tests: Taylor (captain), Todd Astle, Boult, Doug Bracewell, Daniel Flynn, Franklin, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Nicol, Jeetan Patel, Southee, Kruger van Wyk, Neil Wagner, Williamson.

Itinerary: Oct 30: One-off Twenty20 International (Pallekele).

Nov 1: First One-day International (Pallekele).

Nov 4: Second One-day International (RPS, Colombo)

Nov 6: Third One-day International (RPS, Colombo).

Nov 10: Fourth One-day International (Hambantota).

Nov 12: Fifth One-day International (Hambantota).

Nov 17-21: First Test (Galle).

Nov 25-29: Second Test (SSC, Colombo).—AP