Welington, Mar 4: Mark Gillespie has replaced Iain O'Brien in the important third seamer's role for New Zealand in the first of three cricket tests against England.

O'Brien pulled out of the New Zealand squad with a toe injury Tuesday on the eve of the Hamilton match, leaving a vacancy for his Wellington provincial teammate, the right-armer Gillespie, who will share the fast bowling duties with Kyle Mills and Chris Martin.

Gillespie, who was sidelined until recently with a shoulder injury, has played only one test for New Zealand and takes the place of O'Brien who has six previous test appearances.

His callup highlights the relative inexperience of the New Zealand team.