New Zealand spinner Somerville replaces injured Boult in Sydney Test
New Zealand has called up off-spinnerWillSomervilleto replaceinjuredfast bowler TrentBoultfor the third and finaltestmatch against Australia inSydneythat begins on Thursday, the country's cricket board (NZC) said on Monday.
Boultwas ruled out of the finaltestafter fracturing his right hand when he was struck on the gloves while facing a Mitchell Starc delivery in their 247-run defeat in Melbourne. He did not bat in the second innings.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said 35-year-oldSomerville, who has played threetests and picked up 14 wickets, was called up instead of another paceman as the conditions at theSydneyCricket Ground were conducive to spin.
"There's no secret the SCG pitch is one of the more spin-friendly in Australia," Stead said in a statement. "Will offers something different to our two otherspinners in the squad with his right arm off-spin and height.
"The fact he's played a lot of cricket inSydneyduring his career for New South Wales will also be helpful as we prepare for this finalTest."
Australia have already wrapped up a 2-0 victory in the three-match series after winning the firsttestin Perth by 296 runs.