New Zealand Cricket today announced a 14-player One Day International and Twenty20 squad for The National Bank Series against Zimbabwe.
ODI squad:
Brendon McCullum (c) – Otago Volts
Michael Bates – Auckland Aces
Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
DeanBrownlie – Canterbury Wizards
Andrew Ellis – Canterbury Wizards
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Tom Latham – Cantebury Wizards
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Tarun Nethula – Central Stags
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Jacob Oram – Central Stags
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights
Twenty20 squad:
Brendon McCullum (c) – Otago Volts
Michael Bates – Auckland Aces
Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
Dean Brownlie – Canterbury Wizards
Colin de Grandhomme – Auckland Aces
James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Ronnie Hira – Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Jacob Oram – Central Stags
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights
National Selection Manager Kim Littlejohn said: “We believe we have selected two strong squads with a balance of experienced players and cricketers we consider ready for the challenge of international cricket.
“The new caps have earned their chance through solid performances at domestic level and we think it’s the right time to take a look at players who will be in the frame for the Twenty20 World Cup later in the year, and looking further ahead to the 2015 ODI World Cup.
“The larger squad of 14 will allows us to provide opportunities for the new players and manage the workload of the others, especially bowlers, who feature in all three forms for the BLACKAPS.
“With Ross Taylor unavailable through injury, Brendon McCullum will step in as captain for the rest of the series and we know he will provide excellent leadership while Ross recovers.
“Although it is disappointing for the likes of Luke Woodcock, Graeme Aldridge, Andy McKay and BJ Watling who miss out we pleased that there’s real competition for places and by the end of the series will benefit from having another group of guys with international experience.
“Tarun Nethula and Ronnie Hira have been the form spinners this season and richly deserve their selection through consistently good performances.
“Michael Bates has been one of the best pace bowlers for Auckland over a number of seasons and is a skilful death bowler who also offers us a left-arm option. Colin de Grandhomme and Andrew Ellis also played extremely well in the HRV Cup and their all-round skills with bat and ball are well suited to ODI and T20 cricket.
“Tom Latham is an exciting keeper batsman who is very well equipped for short-form cricket and we think he has the potential to make a big impact on the international scene.”
The National Bank ODI and T20I Series
3/02/2012 - First ODI, University Oval, Dunedin - 11.00am
6/02/2012 - Second ODI, Cobham Oval, Whangarei - 11.00am
9/02/2012 - Third ODI, McLean Park, Napier - 2.00pm
11/02/2012 - First T20I, Eden Park, Auckland - 7.00pm
14/02/2012 - Second T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton - 7.00pm
