Northern Districts cricketer Tim Southee has been added to the Black Caps' test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies.

Southee, who was originally named in the Twenty20 and ODI squads, replaces Mark Gillespie who was earlier ruled out of the tour with an ankle injury.

National selection manager Kim Littlejohn says recent strong performances boosted Southee's chances after he was largely ineffectual in a home series loss to South Afrcia.

'Tim has impressed with the way he bowled in the one-day series so far and we have seen an improvement from where he was at the end of the home summer.

'He's a like-for-like replacement for Mark in terms of the type of bowler he is and his ability to unsettle the opposition batsmen with pace and bounce.”

The Black Caps are currently trailing the West Indies 2-1 in a best of five one day series.

The first test match will begin at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, on July 25.