New Zealand give McCullum all clear

New Zealand wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum is set to play a full part in the third Test against England here at Trent Bridge after being named on Wednesday in a 12-man squad for a match his side must win to end the series all square at 1-1.

McCullum sustained a back injury heading into last week's tour match against Northamptonshire, where reserve keeper Gareth Hopkins was behind the stumps, and there was a concern he might play as a batsman only in the series finale. However, after a thorough workout at the ground on Wednesday, hard-hitting batsman McCullum will be New Zealand's keeper when the third Test starts here on Thursday. But the out-of-form James Marshall has been dropped from the side that lost

the second Test last week by six wickets at Old Trafford. Marshall has managed just 52 runs in four Test innings this series.

His place is taken by Peter Fulton, now set to play his first Test since January after making 57 in the first innings against Northamptonshire. Teenage quick Tim Southee, who missed the second Test through illness after playing in the drawn series opener at Lord's, has been added to the squad and will compete for the final pace bowling side against Iain O'Brien, his replacement in Manchester. New Zealand will decide on their final starting line-up on the morning of the match. Hard-hitting No 5 McCullum is one of the most dynamic batsmen in world cricket and made a run-a-ball 97 in the drawn first Test at Lord's.

Vice-captain McCullum prides himself on his resilience. For example, at Lord's, he batted in the second innings after retiring hurt with an arm injury even though by that stage the match was heading for a draw.

New Zealand's squad selection means middle-order batsman Daniel Flynn is likely to retain his place.

The left-hander lost two teeth after being hit by a James Anderson bouncer at Old Trafford which forced the grille of his helmet into his face. However, Flynn has since returned to the fray and although he only managed six and two against Northamptonshire, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori made it clear Wenesday ahead of the squad announcement he had no doubts about the batsman's resolve. "Whilst he didn't get the runs he wanted to, he wanted to get back out there," Vettori said. New Zealand dominated the early stages at Old Trafford and had a first innings lead of 179. But a second innings collapse saw them bowled out for just 114 and although England's victory target of 294 was an Old Trafford Test record, the hosts got the runs they needed with more than a day to spare. England named Wednesday an unchanged side and are now on course to play the same XI in five successive Tests for the first time since 1885.