McMillan makes way for Jones

New Zealand have called up batsman Richard Jones and omitted Craig McMillan from the teams to tour Sri Lanka later this month.

Jones beat Auckland opener Tim McIntosh for the final top-order batting berth in the Test side, while McMillan was not wanted for either the Test or one-day line-ups after a poor season.

Selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said dropping the experienced McMillan had been a "tough decision" to make.

He said: "Craig has had a horrific time over the summer. He is a senior player and we expect more from him."

Team coach Denis Aberhart said: "We know what he's done and what he's capable of and I am sure he will come back a better player.

"He will have a programme to benefit him over the winter.

Challenge

"All top sports players go through a loss of form at some stage of their career and this is another challenge for him."

Off-spinner Paul Wiseman is recalled to the Test team, batsman Matthew Horne to both sides and opener Chris Nevin to the one-day side.

Lou Vincent and Mathew Sinclair are two other casualties from the World Cup squad but have retained their Test spots.

Jones, 29, has been one of the more consistent domestic batsmen in recent years and scored 726 runs at 45.37 in the New Zealand state championship this season.

The team will play two Tests starting on 25 April, followed by a one-day tri-series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

New Zealand teams:

Test: Stephen Fleming (capt), Mark Richardson, Matthew Horne, Richard Jones, Lou Vincent, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Robbie Hart, Daniel Vettori, Ian Butler, Shane Bond, Paul Wiseman, Daryl Tuffey.

One-day: Stephen Fleming (capt), Chris Nevin, Matthew Horne, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams, one to be added after Test series.