BLACKCAPS name initial ODI squad of nine for tour of India

The BLACKCAPS have named nine players in their One Day International squad to take on India next month, with six more to be added from the New Zealand A side currently touring.

The two sides will square off in three ODIs, the first of which will be in Mumbai on 22 October. Three Twenty20s will follow the series, with the squad for this to be announced when the remainder of the ODI team is named.

BLACKCAPS initial squad

Kane Williamson (c) - Northern Districts
Trent Boult - Northern Districts 
Colin de Grandhomme – Auckland
Martin Guptill - Auckland
Tom Latham - Canterbury
Adam Milne - Central Districts
Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts
Tim Southee - Northern Districts
Ross Taylor - Central Districts

BLACKCAPS Coach Mike Hesson confirmed the remaining six players would come from the New Zealand A side currently touring India.

“The nine we’ve picked have made up the core of our ODI team for a while and all of them have experience playing in India,” said Hesson.

“With a number of our top guys already playing in India, it’s helpful to be able to select the squad in two parts. With six spots left, there’s an obvious incentive for the players in New Zealand A to perform and put their best foot forward.”

Hesson said that while Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom had missed out on this squad, they still had the opportunity to push their way back into the side for the home summer.

“It will be disappointing for James and Neil, but we’ve talked through the areas that we’d like to see them work on and if we see development they’ll certainly both come into the reckoning come the home summer.

“Neil was really effective for us batting at three or four last season, but we have quality, established batsmen in those positions and we’d like to see Neil develop his game further to show he has the skills to bat at five.

“Jimmy needs go back and really dominate domestic cricket with both bat and ball.  We know Jimmy is a talented player, but we’ve spoken with him around improving the consistency in all areas of his game.”

The team depart for India on 12 October.