Following injuries to premium fast bowlers Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Ferguson, New Zealand have been urged to select new-look fast bowlers for the ODI series against India. While Matt Henry sustained a broken thumb, Boult and Ferguson have been out with a broken arm and a calf strain individually. However, New Zealand is confident of Boult healing in time for the two-Test matches.
Kuggeleijn, Hamish Bennett and Kyle Jamieson have been selected in the vacancy of the lead bowlers with Southee leading the attack. Both these pacemen represented their most recent ODIs almost three years ago in 2017. Legspinner Ish Sodhi will play the first ODI at Seddon Park but will be released in time to play for New Zealand A in the four-day match against India A in Christchurch.
On the batting front, Henry Nicholls will continue to open the innings alongside Martin Guptill with the middle order also receiving a boost following the return of Tom Latham who was out with a broken finger previously. Colin de Grandomme, James Neesham, and Mitchell Santner will continue being the allrounders. This will be New Zealand’s first ODI assignment ever since the World Cup final in July last year.
coach Gary Stead said that Tim Southee has an important job leading our new-look pace attack, which has a huge opportunity against some of the very best batsmen in the world.
he further added that Jimmy and Colin continue as the pace bowling allrounders after strong campaigns in England and they will offer us plenty of firepower and versatility. Henry will remain at the top of the order after impressing in the opportunities he’s had. He’s been in good form opening for Canterbury in the latest rounds of the Ford Trophy with a hundred and a half-century to his name
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi (only 1st ODI), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
