WELLINGTON, Feb 13: Former rugby international Jeff Wilson has been included in the New Zealand squad for Thursday's historic Twenty20 match against Australia in Auckland.

Wilson was named in a 13-man squad captained by Stephen Fleming to play the Australians in the first 20-overs-a-side match between two international sides. Wilson, 31, played the last of his four one-day matches for New Zealand in 1993 before quitting to concentrate on rugby after being picked for the All Blacks.

In a brilliant career as a winger and fullback, Wilson played 60 Tests for New Zealand before hanging up his boots in 2002 to return to cricket. He resumed in domestic first-class competition but caught the eye with an impressive performance for New Zealand in last month's exhibition series against a World XI.

New Zealand coach John Brace well said Wilson's inclusion was part of a strategy to use as many players as possible over the next few months with the Kiwis die to play five one-dayers and three tests against Australia then two tests against Sri Lanka.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Andre Adams, Jeff Wilson, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey. -Reuters