A host of returning players will have the chance to further their international credentials on the BLACKCAPS' tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa, which begins in the first week of August.
Batsmen Tom Latham and Colin Munro have been included for the tour, while Adam Milne and James Neesham will return to the fray following layoffs due to injury.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who has been included for the Zimbabwe leg only, is a new face to the BLACKCAPS ODI squad (having previously represented New Zealand at Test and T20 International level) and will then make way for Doug Bracewell in the South African series.
Trent Boult (injured), Corey Anderson (injured), Brendon McCullum (rested) and Tim Southee (rested) are the frontline players missing from the touring party.
BLACKCAPS coach and selector Mike Hesson said the choice of Sodhi for Zimbabwe and Bracewell for South Africa was very much a matter of picking horses for courses.
“We think Ish will be useful on pitches which tend to be slow and take turn, and against a Zimbabwe team stacked with right-handers”, said Hesson.
“But we’re unlikely to need a third spinner in South Africa, which is why we’ve opted for another seamer in Doug.”
Hesson said the absence of four frontliners meant new opportunities for several BLACKCAPS.
“There are chances there for batsmen such as Tom and Colin, for Ish and for a handful of bowlers,” he said.
“And, not least, it’s another good opportunity for (stand-in captain) Kane Williamson to continue upskilling in terms of leadership.”
Kane Williamson will be tour captain in Africa while Brendon McCullum recharges
However, Hesson said the absence of McCullum, Southee, Boult and Anderson would not lessen the sense of expectation surrounding the BLACKCAPS squad.
“This is a team which has built up an impressive record on the international circuit in recent times and the expectation is that we continue to perform, regardless of who might be missing.
“We were also without some key players (McCullum, Southee and Boult) on last summer’s away series against Pakistan, and still managed to win 3-2 – thanks to other players stepping up.
“Our focus is on continuing to produce strong team performances, rather than be distracted by the presence or absence of specific individuals."
The majority of the squad will assemble at a training camp in Potchefstroom before heading to Harare for the opening ODI.
BLACKCAPS squad to Zimbabwe and South Africa 2015
Kane Williamson (captain)
Doug Bracewell (South Africa series only)
Grant Elliott
Matt Henry
Martin Guptill
Tom Latham
Mitchell McClenaghan
Nathan McCullum
Adam Milne
Colin Munro
James Neesham
Luke Ronchi
Mitchell Santner
Ish Sodhi (Zimbabwe series only)
Ross Taylor
Ben Wheeler
Tour Schedule
2 August v Zimbabwe, Harare, 1st ODI
4 August v Zimbabwe, Harare, 2nd ODI
7 August v Zimbabwe, Harare, 3rd ODI
9 August v Zimbabwe, Harare, T20i
14 August v South Africa, Durban, 1st T20i
16 August v South Africa, Centurion, 2nd T20i
19 August v South Africa, Centurion, 1st ODI
23 August v South Africa, Potchefstroom, 2nd ODI
26 August v South Africa, Durban, 3rd ODI
