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.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Go black caps! My second team after Aus Southee and Boult are such a pleasure to watch. Let's hope it's not wall to wall roads from the groundsmen
Sylvester
Guest
Me too re Blundell. Not sure what he's done to justify selection. Could have used Watling if they're that desperate. I was on the fence about Sodhi v Astle due to the former's maddening inconsistency. But I think it's the right call - NZ needs a wicket-taking spinner.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Very good team. English conditions are similar to NZ conditions so am pleased that the team is similar to the one used over the 2018-19 season. Martin Guptill batted well for Worcestershire last season. I can remember Jimmy Neesham hitting 3 sixes (I think) in a row against Sri Lanka in January!
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Only question mark for me is Colin Munro but still a very good squad.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Very good squad, capable of reaching Semi-Finals.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
The Blundell selection does bewilder me as he has never played that format internationally and had only played one List A fixture this year. He is a capable batsmen and his wicket-keeping is considered better than Seiferts. Seifert has had surgery on a finger. He had been more regularly selected through the summer. I am also glad Ish Sodhi was selected ahead of Astle. Slightly biased as he went to the same school as me (and that I currently work at) plus I know him personally. Seems to be a better option and actually gets used to bowl. Astle hasn't had too much bowling under his belt even when he has played for the Black Caps this summer. This a good team with a settled top order and some world class seamers who will love the English conditions.
Paul
Roar Guru
In a 15 man squad, surely having 2 keepers for an 11 game tournament is a bit of a luxury? Othe than that, this looks a very good squad on paper.
13th Man
Guest
Very strong out fit that looks really well suited to English conditions. Just wonder whether they'll have the fire power to compete with England, India and Aus but they'll certainly trouble a few sides. Let's not forget they made the final last time round!