New Zealand has made only one change to the Test team that beat Bangladesh in February for the upcoming two matches against Australia with Central Districts veteran Mathew Sinclair replacing Neil Broom in the 13-man squad.
New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said Sinclair has been brought into the squad as cover for the top order batsmen while it has been decided that skipper Daniel Vettori will bat at No.6.
"We felt we needed a cover top-order batter, rather than cover for our middle order, so Neil is a little unlucky in that respect," he said.
"He [Vettori] has been very successful there over the last half-dozen tests."
"It also gives a very good balance to our side. It enables us to play the five bowlers we are looking for, whether that is four seamers and one spinner, or three seamers and two spinners in our squad, we have the ability to be flexible."
After losing the recent one-day Chappell-Hadlee series 3-2 to Australia, New Zealand faces an even tougher challenge in the two-Test series.
Greatbatch said success in the Test matches will depend on doing the simple things well
"Batting time, getting through sessions, being patient with the ball, being disciplined and doing it day after day," he said.
The first Test gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday.
New Zealand Test squad:
Daniel Vettori (c), Brent Arnel, Martin Guptill, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, B.J. Watling