McCullum and Taylor out of Sri Lanka tour

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and batsman Ross Taylor will return to New Zealand after the current tour of Bangladesh to ensure they have the best preparation for the home Tests against the West Indies.

New Zealand Cricket General Manager National Selection Bruce Edgar says the pair will not go on to Sri Lanka in early November for the three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20s so they can freshen up and prepare for the longer format of the game.

Good to hear New Zealand are giving priority to Test cricket. I think they have prioritised the one day formats for years as that is what they think they can be most competitive in and it has been to the detriment of their status in Test cricket.

Australia touring India for an ODI series, NZ in SL what is going on?


The crowds are not turning up to Tests as they used to.

Err, McCullum given a break? Taylor I do understand. McCullum is not some test specialist who need rest from shorter formats. In fact, I'd say he's more needed and useful in shorter formats, if anything. Williamson and such need a break, not McCullum.