BLACKCAPS ONE DAY SQUAD AND NEW ZEALAND A TEAMS ANNOUNCED

BLACKCAPS ONE DAY SQUAD AND NEW ZEALAND A TEAMS ANNOUNCED

New Zealand Cricket has today [Saturday 28 February] announced the BLACKCAPS squad for the first three One-Day Internationals against India.

The New Zealand A team for the second four-day game against the England Lions (A team) has also been named.

The BLACKCAPS ODI squad of 12 is:

Daniel Vettori (Captain)
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Brendon McCullum
Kyle Mills
Iain O’Brien
Jacob Oram
Jesse Ryder
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor

Ewen Thompson and Nathan McCullum from the Twenty20 squad are omitted, while Kyle Mills returns to the side after an Achilles Tendon injury.

Head of the selection panel Glenn Turner said the squad was a strong one, which reflected the sizeable pool of players in consistent good form at international and domestic levels.

The selectors had decided not to include a second spinner in the initial ODI squad, Turner said. “Knowing the way the Indians play spin bowling in limited overs cricket, we think the attack will benefit from having an extra seamer,” said Turner.

“We’re fortunate that Kyle Mills is back to fitness after injury – his recent form with the new ball in limited overs has been outstanding.

Turner said the squad had been named only for the first three matches, to allow other players the opportunity to find form in the next round of the domestic State Championship, and in the New Zealand A side.

The National Bank Series One Day Internationals begin at Napier on 3 March, followed by games at Wellington on 6 March and Christchurch on 8 March.

NEW ZEALAND A SIDE

The New Zealand A side for the second four-day match against the England Lions is:

Jamie How (Captain)
Brent Arnel
Daniel Flynn
James Franklin
Peter Fulton
Chris Martin
Jeetan Patel
Aaron Redmond
Ewen Thompson
Kane Williamson
Reece Young

Local association players will be available as 12th man. The side is coached by State Otago Volts coach, Mike Hesson.

Turner described the A squad as a strong side with several BLACKCAPS looking to play their way back into contention for the One Day and Test matches against India.

“It’s also pleasing to see exciting young talent like Kane Williamson earning their place in the side with strong domestic performances,” said Turner.

The first four-day game between New Zealand A and the England Lions is at Queenstown from Sunday 1 to Wed 4 March, and the second from Saturday 7 to Tuesday 10 March at Lincoln