Spinner Patel left out by Kiwis

New Zealand have announced a 15-man squad for the first of their two Tests against Australia beginning on 21 November in Brisbane.

Jacob Oram misses the series with a back injury, while Jeetan Patel has been overlooked, leaving skipper Daniel Vettori as the solitary spinner.

The Kiwis will name a new squad for the second Test starting on 28 November.

In seven Tests in Brisbane the Kiwis have won only once. They lost the last match there by an innings and 156 runs.

Reserve wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins will travel with the squad as cover for New Zealand Cricketer of the Year Brendon McCullum, who has an injury niggle.

New Zealand squad: D Vettori (capt), A Redmond, J How, J Ryder, R Taylor, P Fulton, D Flynn, B McCullum, G Elliott, G Hopkins, T Southee, I O'Brien, K Mills, M Gillespie, C Martin.

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