Broom summoned to replace Taylor

Experience, 18 first-class centuries and ability against pace bowling vaulted Neil Broom to the head of the queue for a test debut at age 33 against South Africa in Wellington.

As both teams squelched away from Dunedin’s University Oval yesterday in a rain-soaked first test draw, New Zealand’s selectors summoned Broom to replace Ross Taylor whose ‘‘low grade’’ right calf tear will rule him out of the second test at least.

It could mean up to three changes to the New Zealand XI at the Basin Reserve, with pace spearhead Trent Boult under a cloud with a left hip/pelvis injury. He hasn’t yet been ruled out of Thursday’s test, and will be monitored, but his and Taylor’s absence would be major setbacks for New Zealand after they competed so strongly in Dunedin.

Paceman Matt Henry was added the squad, too, while Tim Southee will almost certainly return and either Henry or allrounder Colin de Grandhomme could replace a spinner, probably Mitchell Santner, on a bouncier pitch that may be fresh after being covered from the prolonged Wellington downpours.

Broom looks the right choice for a daunting assignment, having played 136 first-class games over 14 seasons but no tests. He averages 39 over that career, including 18 tons, and this season for Otago scored 424 Plunket Shield runs at 53.

‘‘We’ve got quite an inexperienced batting lineup so we were keen to have somebody who had plenty of playing experience, and somebody who played pace well,’’ coach and chief selector Mike Hesson said.

‘‘Neil’s had the advantage of seeing a bit of South Africa earlier in the month.’’

Hesson said Dean Brownlie wasn’t considered due to injury, having been Taylor’s designated replacement against Pakistan last November. Colin Munro wasn’t required, either, after he returned from his ODI axing to blast 146 and 142 for Auckland against Central Districts and boost his first-class average to 51.85.