• England in New Zealand 2012-13

Woakes replaces Bresnan for NZ

Chris Woakes has played seven ODIs for England and three T20 matches © PA Photos

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Chris Woakes has been selected ahead of Tim Bresnan in England's 15-man squad for the three Test series in New Zealand.

Woakes, the 23-year-old Warwickshire swing bowling allrounder, has played seven ODIs and three T20s for England but is yet to make his Test debut.

He has an excellent record as an allrounder at domestic level - a first-class batting average of 38.25 and first-class bowling average of 25.56 - and, despite a concern about the lack of pace in his bowling, has an ability to swing the ball both ways that could prove valuable in New Zealand. He recently had a brief stint with Wellington in New Zealand domestic cricket and claimed four wickets in two first-class matches.

Bresnan, who has struggled to recapture his potency since an elbow operation in December 2011, will instead have the elbow assessed to see if any further treatment is required. Before the operation, Bresnan's Test bowling average was 23.60. Since the operation it is 55.43.

"We have a busy international summer ahead of us and the medical team felt this was an ideal opportunity for Tim Bresnan to take some time out to ensure his elbow is functioning effectively," Geoff Miller, England national selector, said. "Chris Woakes has impressed on the England Performance Programme and with England Lions and Warwickshire in recent years as well as with England in the limited overs formats. This is a good opportunity for him to gain further experience in the international environment."

England also announced that Craig Kieswetter has been dropped from the one-day squad and will return to Somerset to prepare for the new domestic season. Kieswetter has played 71 internationals for England, averaging 26.77 in ODIs and T20Is but in 2012 slumped to an average of 22.36 with a highest score of 50 in 29 matches.

"Craig has had an extended opportunity in ODI and T20 cricket," Miller said. "He has shown evidence of delivering performances on the international stage however we don't feel these have been delivered consistently enough. As we look forward to the Champions Trophy and Cricket World Cup in 2015 we will look to explore other options.

"The door is not closed to Craig, and he can fight his way back into contention for international selection through consistent high performances with Somerset."

Joe Root, Woakes and James Harris have been added to the ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand. Root's call-up means James Taylor has been appointed captain of the England Lions tour to Australia, for which Rikki Clarke has been called-up to the squad that will play a series of limited-overs games in February.

George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo

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