WELLINGTON, Feb 13: Pace bowler Daryl Tuffey has earned a surprise recall to the New Zealand squad for the World Cup in the West Indies starting next month.

Tuffey was included in a 15-man New Zealand squad announced on Tuesday after paceman Kyle Mills was ruled out of the tournament last week to undergo knee surgery.

“I was sitting at home when I got the call,” Tuffey told reporters. “I thought it was a courtesy call to say I had missed out but Richard Hadlee gave me the nod and I was very happy.”

Tuffey, 28, has not played an international match in almost two years after suffering a shoulder injury but coach John Bracewell said he was an ideal replacement for Mills.

“It has been a long journey back for Daryl from such a serious injury, but the selectors have been impressed by his performances and are satisfied that he is ready to once again play international cricket,” Bracewell said in a statement.

Tuffey was preferred to Andre Adams and Chris Martin.

“We wanted a genuine replacement for Kyle Mills, which meant outswing bowling,” Bracewell said. “Chris and Andre are more suited to the middle of the innings. We needed a new-ball bowler who bowled outswing and that's what swayed it.”

Bracewell said New Zealand's record of injury problems among their fast bowlers was another factor behind Tuffey's selection.

“Our history of injuries show that we need that cover. Fifteen is a luxury for a world tournament, normally it's 14,” he said.“But with the distance and difficulties of getting to the West Indies we felt we needed that cover at the top of the bowling order rather than an extra batter or wicket-keeper which we can cover through Lou Vincent.”

There were no other major surprises in the New Zealand squad, which will be led by Stephen Fleming and his vice-captain Daniel Vettori.

Bracewell dismissed suggestions that Fleming has lost his enthusiasm for the captain's job.

“I thought his performance both on and off the park in Australia has been absolutely outstanding – we were putting together a World Cup package and he's been tireless,” Bracewell said.

“He's worked himself almost to the point of exhaustion behind the scene in his desire to send off a successful World Cup side. For me without question he is the man for the job – both him and Daniel Vettori.”

Tuffey was the only member of the squad who did not play in the recent tri-series against Australia and England but he will be involved in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia starting on Friday.

New Zealand are drawn in Group C at the World Cup with England, Kenya and Canada.

New Zealand squad - Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori (vice-captain), Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Michael Mason, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.—Reuters