Chairman of the selection panel, Andrew Hilditch commented “Steve Smith has had an excellent Shield season, including a big century against Tasmania recently and of course has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the pressure of international cricket. He adds great flexibility to the squad with his exciting stroke-play, leg-spin bowling and gifted fielding”.

Having already made his International Twenty20 and One Day International debuts last month, Steve will be hoping to make his Test Match debut against New Zealand.


The 14 man Test Squad:

Ricky Ponting (c) (TAS)
Michael Clarke (vc) (NSW)
Doug Bollinger (NSW)
Brad Haddin (NSW)
Nathan Hauritz (NSW)
Ryan Harris (QLD)
Phillip Hughes (NSW)
Mike Hussey (WA)
Mitchell Johnson (WA)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Clint McKay (VIC)
Marcus North (WA)
Steven Smith (NSW)
Shane Watson (NSW)


SCHEDULE

Test 1:   March 19 - 23 at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Test 2:   March 27 - 31 at Seddon Park, Hamilton