Kiwis put faith in young guns

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Seamer Kyle Mills, their leading wicket-taker in the series with 10 victims, has been ruled out with a knee problem, while all-rounder Jacob Oram has been sidelined with a hip injury to leave New Zealand without two of their most experienced players for McLean Park.

"As a New Zealand side, we've been through plenty of injuries in the past and it's always given guys opportunities to step up," enthused captain Daniel Vettori. "Invariably, some guys have and put in performances that have led to them being in the team for a long time."

He added: "We're hoping Tim and Grant are definitely that case because they've definitely got the talent."

Elliott has played state cricket back in South Africa before qualifying for New Zealand as a resident, but 19-year-old Southee is only in his second season of first-class cricket and won player of the tournament at the recent Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

"It's pretty exciting for him," said Vettori. "A first Test as a 19-year-old doesn't come along that often and he's an exciting prospect for us and we're looking forward to him starting a long career.

"He's a pretty consistent bowler, he swings it and if you have those two things, it doesn't really matter what sort of wicket you bowl on. We've seen some skills there which we think can transfer onto any wicket we play on.

"We know it's going to be a tough ask for him, particularly with a couple of guys out with injury, but we see something pretty special in him."