New Zealand Cricket has today [Saturday 28 February] announced the BLACKCAPS squad for the first three One-Day Internationals against India.
The New Zealand A team for the second four-day game against the England Lions (A team) has also been named.
The BLACKCAPS ODI squad of 12 is:
Daniel Vettori (Captain)
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Brendon McCullum
Kyle Mills
Iain O’Brien
Jacob Oram
Jesse Ryder
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Ewen Thompson and Nathan McCullum from the Twenty20 squad are omitted, while Kyle Mills returns to the side after an Achilles Tendon injury.
Head of the selection panel Glenn Turner said the squad was a strong one, which reflected the sizeable pool of players in consistent good form at international and domestic levels.
The selectors had decided not to include a second spinner in the initial ODI squad, Turner said. “Knowing the way the Indians play spin bowling in limited overs cricket, we think the attack will benefit from having an extra seamer,” said Turner.
“We’re fortunate that Kyle Mills is back to fitness after injury – his recent form with the new ball in limited overs has been outstanding.
Turner said the squad had been named only for the first three matches, to allow other players the opportunity to find form in the next round of the domestic State Championship, and in the New Zealand A side.
The National Bank Series One Day Internationals begin at Napier on 3 March, followed by games at Wellington on 6 March and Christchurch on 8 March.
