Henry Nicholls looks first test certainty as questions remain over Martin GuptillRUPAK DE CHOWDHURI/REUTERS After being named to captain New Zealand A, Henry Nicholls looks the frontrunner to bat No 5 in the first test against Pakistan. Henry Nicholls' return to the test No 5 spot looks assured after he was named to captain New Zealand A against Pakistan next week. Guptill looks set to partner his nearest rival Jeet Raval for Auckland against Wellington on Saturday, after requesting an immediate return to Plunket Shield cricket to try and prolong his test career. KERRY MARSHALL/PHOTOSPORT Opener Jeet Raval is pushing hard for a test opening spot, after touring Africa with the Black Caps but not playing a test. Whilst test hopefuls like Nicholls, Raval, Will Young and Todd Astle feature in that side, it won't be a trial as the Black Caps squad for the first test in Christchurch on November 17 will already have been picked.

Source: Stuff November 03, 2016 02:15 UTC