'Uncapped' Latham, Neesham replace Ryder, Bracewell in 2nd Test squad against India

Zealand cricketers Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell, who were fined for their 'drunken night-out' hours before the first Test against India, have reportedly been replaced by Tom Latham and James Neesham in the squad for the second and the final Test of the series, beginning on Friday.

Ryder and Bracewell, who were not in the playing 11 in Auckland, were fined by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) after not contesting a misconduct charge and their misbehaviour clears the way for the uncapped pair of Neesham and Latham to come into the squad.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Latham, who has played 13 ODIs and seven Twenty20s, is included as cover for batsman and former captain Ross Taylor whose wife is expecting their second child, while all-rounder Neesham, who featured in the one-day series win against India, is fresh from a blazing 147 in the domestic Plunket Shield.

The report mentioned that New Zealand is leading the series against India 1-0 after a 40-run win in Auckland.

Squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Peter Fulton, Latham, Neesham, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.