Black Caps name paceman for Australia

Auckland speedster Lockie Ferguson's early season form and ability to bowl with "real gas" has earned him an early promotion to the national side.

The 25-year-old was the only new name in the 14-man squad for the three-match defence of the Chappell-Hadlee series title - edging out an unlucky Doug Bracewell for a seamer's spot.

Ferguson has taken 74 first-class wickets at an average of 24 since his debut in the 2012-13 season .

In one season of one-dayers for Auckland he has taken 16 wickets at an average of 28.12, conceding 6.19 runs an over.

With the country's other express pace bowler Adam Milne injured, Ferguson has impressed early in this summer's Plunket Shield and is the obvious choice, says national selector Gavin Larsen.

"He bowls consistently in the 140s and he clicks over 150 every now and then, so there is some real gas.

Quick Single: Australia names squad for Chappell-Hadlee series

"There's an element of surprise and no batsmen like playing guys who are who are bowling with that sort of pace.

"Importantly for us though, he's done the job at domestic level. He's really stepped up and led the Auckland attack in all three forms of cricket."

The selectors had wanted to elevate Ferguson at some stage this summer, Larsen said.

"He's probably fast-tracked himself via his performances."

The medical advice is that Trent Boult's knee injury, which kept him out of the Pakistan Test in Hamilton, will recover in time, Larsen said.

Ross Taylor, Mitchell McClenaghan, George Worker and Corey Anderson weren't available because of injury.

Anderson's ongoing injury problems was frustrating for him, the selectors and fans, Larsen said.

"When we've seen Corey Anderson operating at a 100 per cent across the three formats he is a dynamic cricketer."

"We are going to give Corey every opportunity to come right ... it's a long summer."

Dropped on form are both legspinner Ish Sodhi and wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi, meaning spots for Test players Todd Astle and BJ Watling.

Ronchi was a bit shy of runs and needed to return to Wellington to "shoot the lights out" to get back in contention, Larsen said.

"He's been a bit shy of runs across the last year or so. We think BJ deserves an opportunity."

Colin de Grandhomme, whose only previous ODI appearance, was in 2012, is also another Test squad member to jump across.

Big hitting batsman Colin Munro also makes his return from injury.Larsen said the Black Caps wanted to play attacking cricket and would be ready for a wounded Australia, who lost their recent series to South Africa 5-0.

"I think they'll be ruthless, I think they'll be hurting, I think they will want to put us away.

"I think all that, that adds up to a fantastic three ODIs."

The team depart for Australia on Wednesday, following the second Test against Pakistan.

The three-match Chappell-Hadlee series starts in Sydney on December 4.

Chappell-Hadlee squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, BJ Watling.

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