Guptill promoted to NZ's Test squad

Michael Huguenin

Guptill promoted to NZ's Test squad image

New Zealand have rewarded Martin Guptill for his stunning Cricket World Cup display with a spot in their Test squad to tour England in May and June.

Guptill, Matt Henry and Luke Ronchi were promoted on Saturday as New Zealand named a 15-man squad for two Tests against England.

The only player from the team that faced Sri Lanka in New Zealand's second Test in January to miss out on the tour is injured all-round James Neesham.

Guptill was the overall leading scorer at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, finishing with 547 runs, including a record innings of 237 not out against West Indies.

The 28-year-old opening batsman averages just 29.62 in his 31 previous matches at Test level, compared with 39.77 in one-day internationals (ODIs), but New Zealand coach Mike Hesson cannot see any reason why Guptill should not succeed in five-day cricket.

"Martin's a classically-styled batsman and there's really no reason why he can't be as influential in the longer game as he is in the short," Hesson said in a statement on blackcaps.co.nz on Saturday.

Guptill will be expected to not only provide cover for regular openers Tom Latham and Hamish Rutherford but the entire batting line-up.

Ironically, Guptill returns to New Zealand's Test squad for the first time since their last tour of England, where he played in the second match in Leeds.

Guptill batted at six and made one and three as his team lost by 247 runs.

Henry - a fast bowler - took 20 wickets in five matches for Canterbury at an average of 28.55 in New Zealand's 2014-15 domestic season.

Hesson rates the 23-year-old potential debutant highly: "It's another step up for Matt but we've been impressed by the maturity and skill-set he's already shown in the ODI format."

Ronchi was New Zealand's wicketkeeper at the World Cup and will also make his Test debut if given a chance ahead of BJ Watling in England.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be expected to lead Brendon McCullum's bowling attack, with Mark Craig the only specialised spinner in the squad.

McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor will be relied upon to make the majority of the runs.

Full squad: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum (captain), Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

Michael Huguenin