Uncapped wicketkeeper Tom Blundell and legspinner Ish Sodhi have won contentious battles for places in the New Zealand squad to contest the Cricket World Cup.
The Kiwis are the first nation to unveil their 15-an squad for the tournament in England and Wales starting next month, with Kane Williamson leading an experienced batting group and Trent Boult spearheading the bowlers.
Williamson and Boult are among seven players who were part of the New Zealand’s surge to a maiden final appearance in 2015 under Brendon McCullum. They were well beaten by Australia in the MCG decider.
Also back are top-order batsmen Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, and seamers Tim Southee and Matt Henry. It will be Taylor’s fourth World Cup.
Latham will be the first-choice ‘keeper, with Wellington’s Blundell promoted as backup after the more proven Tim Seifert was ruled out with a broken finger.
A late bloomer at 28, he has played two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals.
Sodhi has headed off fellow-legspinner Todd Astle to earn selection, joining left-armer Mitchell Santner as a second tweaker.
Big-hitting opener Colin Munro has been retained despite lean ODI returns over the summer, while Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham are allrounders.
Coach Gary Stead has placed faith in experience, with the squad tallying more than 1000 ODIs between them.
“There’s had to be some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players,” Stead said.
“The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive World Cup.
“As a one-day unit we’ve been pretty consistent over the past few years and possess a very experienced group of core players, proven at the top level.”
Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Tom Blundell, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
© AAP
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
New Test, same result, same problems for Australia as they finish their tour of New Zealand with a fifth win from five matches. Christchurch,…
At the beginning of this second Test between New Zealand and Australia, the Australians formed a guard of honour for Marais Erasmus standing in…
With his place as Australian wicketkeeper suddenly in jeopardy after a poor run of scores with the bat, Alex Carey's brilliant unbeaten 98 to…
It was 50 years ago that New Zealand recorded their first Test Cricket win over Australia.
A five-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood helped Australia run through New Zealand on the first day in Christchurch, but familiar batting woes have prevented…
New Zealand have tapped uncapped quick Ben Sears for the second Test against Australia, ending hopes of a farewell outing for retired Black Caps…
