Wagner likely to be included in Kiwi squad for Windies series

Wellington - Neil Wagner may be the only new face in the New Zealand squad due to be named shortly for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Wagner has been a dominant force in the first-class cricket, claiming 226 wickets at 23.73, and was again to the fore with the Otago Volts in the 2011-12 Plunket Shield, where he had captured 46 wickets at 26.32.

He could join a pace bowling line-up that may also feature Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell, Mark Gillespie and either a recalled Tim Southee or his Northern Knights team-mate Trent Boult.

Boult has proven expensive at domestic level and took just five Twenty20 wickets at 36.20, while conceding 10.05 runs per over last summer, stuff.co.nz reports.

Leg- spinner Tarun Nethula, who could give New Zealand a more attacking slow-bowling option than Daniel Vettori, is also likely to be included in the squad.

New Zealand will play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs, a warm-up match and two tests against the West Indies on tour.