BATTING: Black Caps swing bowler Tim Southee has been working on his batting in an attempt to push his case as an all-round option in the lower order.

Finally some good news on the injury front for the New Zealand cricket team.

Pace bowler Tim Southee has been cleared by New Zealand Cricket medical staff to play for Northern Districts in their opening Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against Auckland in Whangarei, starting on Monday.

Southee missed the current tour of Zimbabwe because of a knee injury but it is hoped he will get through the first two rounds of the Plunket Shield strongly enough to be ready to take on Australia in the two-test series in Australia in early December.

Meanwhile, ND have named two new faces - left arm spinner Mitchell Santner and former Canterbury allrounder Corey Anderson - in their squad of 12 for the opening match of the domestic season.

ND squad: Brad Wilson (captain), Corey Anderson, Brent Arnel, James Baker, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Brook Hatwell, James Marshall, Peter McGlashan, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Joseph Yovich.