|| Desk Report ||

Leg spinner Todd Astle has been picked in New Zealand’s 13-man squad for the three-Test series against visiting Bangladesh. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who made his debut in UAE, wasn't preferred to play in the home soil.

Astle hasn’t been part of the Test side the second Test against England last June. He missed the subsequent tour of the United Arab Emirates to play Pakistan as well with a knee problem.

Patel made his debut in UAE and picked up the five-wicket haul to help New Zealand squeeze a thrilling four-run win against Pakistan. But Astle returns to the side, having eased his way back after a knee surgery.

“It's great though to have Todd fit again and we're keen to see what his wrist-spin can offer in New Zealand conditions, and he'll also bolster the batting," said Gavin Larsen, the selector.

"The spinning position has been the only real area we've changed and that's been largely dependent on conditions and injuries.

“We're in a fortunate position having a number of high-quality spinners available, and it's a tough call on Ajaz who was a star of the UAE tour.”

Apart from that, there’s no real change to the squad from the side that took on Sri Lanka. Will Young continues to be involved as “batting cover”, while Mitchell Santner’s misses out again, with his rehabilitation after a major knee surgery being carefully managed.