Vettori chance of return for New Zealand

Martin Guptill will replace Watling in the side, with captain Brendon McCullum taking the gloves.

Martin’s place, meanwhile, will go to either former captain Daniel Vettori – returning to the Test squad after almost a year of his own injuries – or seamer Doug Bracewell.

Vettori is expected to play if he is deemed match fit and Wagner, for one, would welcome his experience.

“It is exciting seeing a guy like Dan around the changing room again and just having the possibility of him playing,” he said.

“To have him stand at mid-on or mid-off to pick his brains when I’m bowling will be quite nice because he’s an experienced campaigner and someone you can rely on.

“He brings a good spirit to the team and he’s quite a funny bloke who brings a bit of humour in tough situations.

“He’s got immense experience so as a bowler if you’ve got a question or something to pick then he’s the one to talk to.

“You know what you get from him, he’s a class performer and it is good to see him back.”

Australia batsman David Warner has been hit with the maximum fine available after pleading guilty to breaching the Cricket Australia code of behaviour.

Warner, who is set to play a key role in the ICC Champions Trophy and the following Ashes series in England, posted unsavoury comments on Twitter towards journalists Robert Craddock and Malcolm Conn after taking exception to the former’s article over the Indian Premier League.

He was subsequently reported by Cricket Australia for breaching ‘Rule 6: Unbecoming Behaviour’ and was fined £3,700, the maximum penalty for a first-time offender, at the hearing.

Worcestershire’s evergreen paceman Alan Richardson continued his rich vein of form with a career-best 8-37 against Gloucestershire in the LV County Championship Division Two match at New Road.

The 38-year-old ripped through the visitors who were all out for 234.