Veteran allrounder Nathan McCullum will get the chance to bow out of international cricket on a high after being named in the New Zealand squad for the ICC World Twenty20 Cup next month.
The 35-year-old will retire from the game at the end of the season, but his spot in the team had been in doubt after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
He only returned to action late last month.
The offspinner is one of three slow bowlers named for the tournament in India with legspinner Ish Sodhi and left-armer Mitchell Santner also included.
“With the Indian conditions in mind, the plan has always been to take three front-line spinners and all three bring something different,” said coach Mike Hesson.
“It’s great to have Nathan available again and his experience in the foreign conditions will be invaluable.”
Hesson said both he and Santner had the ability to bowl in the early overs, giving captain Kane Williamson options.
Promising batsman Henry Nicholls, who only made his debut this season, wins a spot and will provide wicketkeeping cover for Luke Ronchi.
Injured trio Tim Southee, Ross Taylor and Mitchell McClenaghan are included but pace bowler Matt Henry misses out.
Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Mitchell Santner, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult.
BBA
Guest
I think he decided he wanted to retire at home was the big factor. It does say where the T20 WC rates with the players. Pretty sure if it was a WC he would have made himself available. 13th Man he announced his retirement late last year during the SL Test match series (so before your visit) so all the media talk was back then, he then got injured so was out of the limelight so the focus was not on him.
AREH
Roar Guru
Total...how I could've missed him I don't know
Amith
Guest
I like this lineup. NZ will lose jin the world cup. Having too many players coming back from injury. Baz, Taylor, Southee, Anderson. All coming back with next to no game time. Anderson got to play the Pakistan tour, but to beat someone like us they needs to be playing long before that. We have pretty much been the same line up since the NZ tour, West Indies and the current Indian tour. All looking in very good form. I don't think conditions will save NZ. Our batting will be strong with warner, khawaja and smith there but i fear for our bowling, we need more strke bowlers which we lack wihout starc and pattinson
Amith
Guest
And one more thing, khawaja is striking the ball at nearly 170 in BBL so he doesn't just work the balll, he scores quickly, we saw a bit of that agianst india too with 14 off 4 balls
Amith
Guest
i would go for warner, watson, khawaja, smith, maxwell and Lynn as our top 6 assuming finch is injured.
Bobbo7
Guest
A bit surprising though. Thought he might have done the WC given T20 is kind of his strength. But fair play to him. The good thing is he is leaving NZ in safe hands with Williamson
13th Man
Guest
Ah you've answered it for me then. How did I miss that when I've been in the country for the last 6 weeks. All the extreme activities must have fried my brain.
Brett McKay
Expert
He's retiring after the Test series against Australia..
13th Man
Guest
Warner, Watson, Khawaja, Smith, Bailey, Maxwell, Paine, M Marsh, Zampa, Boyce, Pattinson Res: Hazelwood, Hastings, Klinger (Finch if fit), Head
13th Man
Guest
Why is McCullum unavailable? have been in NZ for the last 6 weeks but have still managed not to hear anything. Think you guys and India will beat us and we won't get out of the group.
Jameswm
Guest
Spinners - Maxwell, Agar and one of Zampa/Boyce Batsmen who can bomb - Warner, Finch, Maxwell, Head, Lynn, Watson Workers - Smith, Bailey, Khawaja - all of whom can score bloody fast I might add. I wouldn't go Lyon - Maxwell will be in and will bowl a few overs, plus I think the others are better ODI spinners. Not sure on Agar. We'd be a chance if our two quicks were Starc and Cummins.
Jameswm
Guest
AhhhhI...I assume the Smith omission was an accident?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Why would you have 2 keepers? And I think you'll find Behrendorff is now done for the summer thanks to Injury.
Bobbo7
Guest
Would have been good to have McCullum there too, but seeing as he was not available this is the best NZ side for the T20 WC. Williamson, Taylor and Elliot to bat around the big hitters - and they are not to shabby either.
AREH
Roar Guru
I think going by this NZ squad as a template if you like, the Aus squad should look something like; Warner, Finch (presuming fitness, otherwise Klinger), Khawaja, Watson, M.Marsh, Lynn, Paine, Handscomb, Maxwell, Boyce, Tye, Richardson, Hazlewood, Behrendorff, Lyon
Brett McKay
Expert
So NZ get it, naming three spinners, and with a good mix of batsmen who can bomb and work the ones and twos. Will Australia get it??