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Injured Taylor to miss first Test with Aussies

Star batsman to miss with a side injury; Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee in 14-man squad

Perth double-centurion Ross Taylor is out of the first Test against Australia with injury, with young batsman Henry Nicholls in line to make his debut.

Taylor scored an incredible 290 against Australia in Mitchell Johnson's final Test at the WACA Ground, a new record for the highest Test score by a visiting batsman.

It was the 31-year-old's first century in two years, and is the highest Test score ever made by a New Zealander away from home and the third-highest overall. 

In all, Taylor batted for 567 minutes, faced 374 balls and hit 43 fours – the most ever hit in a Test innings in Australia. 

Taylor's absence is a blow for the Black Caps as New Zealand today named a 14-man squad for the two Test series against Australia, with uncertainty also hanging over the wicketkeeping position.

WATCH: Ross Taylor's epic 290 against Australia in Perth

Both BJ Watling and Luke Ronchi have been named in the Test squad, with Watling to be given every opportunity to prove his fitness after struggling with a back injury.

Watling has been ruled out of New Zealand's current domestic cricket round, starting today, with Ronchi on standby to take the gloves for the Black Caps if he doesn't pull up.

Taylor has been ruled out of the first Test with a left side injury but will continue to be monitored ahead of the second Test in Christchurch.

Tim Southee has recovered enough from a bruised left foot picked up during the one-day international against Sri Lanka in Nelson on New Year's Eve.

Quick Single: Southee takes step towards Test return

Nicholls made his one-day international debut for the Black Caps on Boxing Day and also played a role for the Sydney Thunder in this summer's KFC Big Bash League run to the title.

He scored 61 against Australia in the first Chappell-Hadlee ODI on Wednesday as New Zealand completed a 159-run thumping.

Quick Single: Pattinson heads to NZ early for Test prep

NZ coach Mike Hesson said Nicholls deserved his selection and that it was a squad picked with conditions in mind.

"Henry has been very impressive the way he's made the step up to international cricket and we're confident of the job he can do for us in the top order," said Hesson.

"We've gone for just the one spinner in Mitch (Santner) and that's based around what we expect the pitches to play like at Hagley and the Basin.

"Tim's a leader within our group and our most experienced bowler, so we're excited to have him fit and a part of our pace bowling attack.

"Matt also comes back into the squad after some really strong performances throughout the summer and with Corey's return we now have a number of seam bowling options to consider.

"It's well documented how good a Test side Australia are and we know it will take some exceptional cricket for us to have a chance of taking out the series.

"It doesn't get much bigger for all New Zealand fans than a Test series against Australia."

The two Test series for Australia's Qantas Tour of New Zealand begins in Wellington on February 12. It will mark retiring skipper Brendon McCullum's 100th consecutive Test since his debut, which would be a new world record.

The second Test will be played at Christchurch on February 20.

New Zealand Test squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Kane Williamson