Henry Nicholls will make his test debut at the Basin Reserve against Australia next week.

New Zealand's fears around Ross Taylor's fitness were realised while reliable gloveman BJ Watling threw another injury scare into the camp ahead of next week's first cricket test against Australia.

Canterbury batsman Henry Nicholls is poised to become New Zealand's 269th test cricketer after he was named in the 13-man squad for the two tests, with Taylor's side strain forcing him out and Watling's back injury causing him to be bracketed with one-test wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi.

Other features were the returns of allrounder Corey Anderson and paceman Matt Henry, the latter making up a crop of five fast bowlers in the squad on an expected green pitch at the Basin Reserve. Senior paceman Tim Southee (foot) was included after a period on the sidelines. Spinner Mark Craig was omitted, with Mitchell Santner the only slow bowler chosen.

Taylor's left side strain, suffered against Pakistan on January 22, continued to cause problems and there were fears last week he wouldn't be fit in time. There must be serious doubt around his return for Christchurch, starting on February 20, but NZ Cricket said in a statement he would be monitored ahead of the second test.

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Watling was ruled out of what would have been his first ODI since February 2013 against Pakistan in Auckland last Sunday after his back injury flared up. He will be monitored over the coming days, with Ronchi in a familiar position as cover in the test squad. In his only test appearance at Leeds in May Ronchi scored 88 in New Zealand's eventual victory over England, but has struggled against the white ball recently.

Left-hander Nicholls, 24, was the obvious pick in Taylor's absence after a strong start to his ODI career, scoring cool-headed half-centuries against Pakistan and Australia in the past fortnight.

"Henry has been very impressive the way he's made the step up to international cricket and we're confident of the job he can do for us in the top order," said coach and chief selector Mike Hesson.

It could be shades of team-mate Tom Latham's test debut against India at the Basin in 2014 when he was summoned to bat at No 4 for Taylor who was absent to be at the birth of his second child.

Hesson expected seamer-friendly conditions in Wellington and Christchurch, hence Santner being the only spinner in the squad stacked with pace options.

"Tim's a leader within our group and our most experienced bowler, so we're excited to have him fit and a part of our pace bowling attack.

"Matt also comes back into the squad after some really strong performances throughout the summer and with Corey's return we now have a number of seam bowling options to consider."

Anderson's potential return for his first test since May when he suffered a back stress fracture raised the prospect of a strong batting lineup with Santner down at eight. Hesson will toss up between Anderson or a fourth seamer, with Henry hammering at the selection door to join Southee, Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell after the summer he's had with the ball.

New Zealand squad for two-test series against Australia: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling/Luke Ronchi, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.