A couple of men behaving badly have been replaced by cricketers playing well with James Neesham and Tom Latham being included in the New Zealand squad for the second Test against India.

The pair replace Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell who were not considered for selection after going out drinking on the eve of the first Test last week.

Both players, who were not in the playing 11 in Auckland, were fined by New Zealand Cricket after not contesting a misconduct charge.

Their misbehaviour clears the way for the uncapped pair of Neesham and Latham to come into the squad for the final Test of the series beginning on Friday.

Latham is included as cover for Ross Taylor whose wife is expecting their second child and national selection manager Bruce Edgar says if the baby is not born before the start of the Test then the 21-year-old Latham would win his first Test cap.

“Tom’s an incredibly exciting prospect and is constantly pushing for selection. If called upon, we’re confident that he’ll take the opportunity with both hands,” he said.

Latham lies second on the run-scoring charts for the Plunket Shield and has played 13 one-day internationals and seven T20s for his country.

Allrounder Neesham, 23, who featured in the one-day series win against India, is fresh from a blazing 147 for Otago.

“We see Jimmy as a genuine allrounder who can play a number of roles for us. His form with both bat and ball in the Plunket Shield this season speaks for itself,” said Edgar.

New Zealand leads the series 1-0 after a 40-run win in Auckland.

Squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.