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Northern Districts all-rounder Matthew Hart has been recalled to the New Zealand cricket team after a two-year absence in a surprise selection for the third one-day match at Auckland on Saturday.

Hart, 26, replaces batsman Matthew Bell as the selectors -- Ross Dykes, Rick Pickard, and Steve Rixon -- attempt to cover all contingencies for an Eden Park wicket they are uncertain about. ``Given the nature of the pitch the selectors want to bolster the slow bowling options,'' Dykes said last night.

Hart last played for New Zealand as a replacement during the tour of Pakistan in 1996. He has played 11 one-dayers and 14 tests, but was then consigned to the wilderness with the emergence of Daniel Vettori.

However, Hart has been one of the best performed all-rounders in the Shell Cup competition this season taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 3.90 runs an over. He has averaged 27 with the bat, with a strike rate of 70. He also hit a career-best 90 for Northern yesterday in its trophy match against Otago. Dykes said the selectors also considered Paul Wiseman, but Hart provided stronger batting.

Meanwhile, the selectors want Bell to return to Shell Trophy play and he will appear for Wellington against Canterbury today.

``The selectors believe it is more beneficial for Matthew Bell to be playing at first-class level and getting an opportunity to press for inclusion in the test team,'' Dykes said.

Bell had previously been summoned as a replacement for the first one-dayer against South Africa and produced a plucky innings of 37.