New Zealand Cricket today announced the BLACKCAPS squads to play one Twenty20, five One Day Internationals and two Test matches on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
ODI and Twenty20 squad:
Ross Taylor (c) – Central Stags
Trent Boult – Northern Knights
Andrew Ellis – Canterbury Wizards
James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
Roneel Hira – Canterbury Wizards
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Tom Latham – Canterbury Wizards
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Adam Milne – Central Stags
Jacob Oram – Central Stags
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
BJ Watling – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights
Test squad:
Ross Taylor (c) – Central Stags
Todd Astle – Canterbury Wizards
Trent Boult – Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
Daniel Flynn – Northern Knights
James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Chris Martin – Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Jeetan Patel – Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Kruger van Wyk – Central Stags
Neil Wagner – Otago Volts
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights
The short form squad includes 12 players who featured in the recent ICC World Twenty20 along with Trent Boult, Andrew Ellis and Tom Latham who played in the last ODI series against the West Indies. Rob Nicol returns to the Test squad while Todd Astle is the only new cap to be named.
National Selection Manager, Kim Littlejohn, said: “We have kept faith with the bulk of the players who took part in the recent winter tours and ICC World Twenty20.
“It has been a demanding period for the BLACKCAPS, especially for the players who compete in all three forms. As part of the on-going management of player workload we have decided to rest Martin Guptill for the T20 and ODI matches so he can refresh for the upcoming international commitments.
“Doug Bracewell will miss the short-form matches so he can spend some time working on a few minor technical issues with his action. The best approach is to spend time getting things right in domestic four-day cricket ahead of the Test series.
“Ronnie Hira and Adam Milne have been included in the ODI squad having previously being selected in T20 sides. We have been impressed by the development of both players and they offer the side something a bit different.
“BJ Watling will return to New Zealand after the one-day matches. He has spent a lot of time touring but has had limited opportunities to play and we believe it is best for his development if he’s made available for the upcoming Plunket Shield fixtures.
“The one new face is Todd Astle. He has the ability to contribute in all three facets of the game and deserves his opportunity after a putting in consistent performances over a number of seasons.
“Tarun Nethula has missed out on selection this time. We think he would benefit from a return to regular First-Class cricket where he can get some overs under his belt and stake his claim for reselection.
“Daniel Vettori has not recovered sufficiently from his Achilles injury and was not considered for the tour.”
BLACKCAPS tour of Sri Lanka schedule:
30/10/2012 - Twenty20 International, Pallekele
1/11/2012 - First ODI, Pallekele
4/11/2012 - Second ODI, Colombo
6/11/2012 - Third ODI, Colombo
10/11/2012 - Fourth ODI, Hambantota
12/11/2012 - Fifth ODI, Hambantota
17/11/2012 - First Test, Galle
25/11/2012 - Second Test, Colombo
