Consistency and flexibility remain at the heart of the BLACKCAPS’ squad to play three Tests in Australia during November and December.
Coach Mike Hesson and BLACKCAPS selector Gavin Larsen have settled on an experienced touring party, containing no new caps for the Tests in Brisbane and Perth and the historic day/night showdown in Adelaide starting 27 November.
The 15-man squad contains four front line pace bowlers; two allrounders (Corey Anderson and James Neesham); cover for the batting line-up and wicketkeeping duties; and one spinner.
Hesson said Anderson’s and Neesham’s ability to offer value at the bowling crease persuaded the selectors to carry four, rather than five, front line fast bowlers as the BLACKCAPS prepare to renew their Test campaign — after seven consecutive series without defeat.
“A lot of our recent success has been based on the value of our No.6 batsman bowling some overs, and we’re comfortable continuing in that vein,” Hesson says.
“Rather than having an extra fast bowler not playing in Australia, we thought it more prudent for those in contention to remain in New Zealand and be playing domestic cricket.”
Luke Ronchi, who performed strongly for the BLACKCAPS during their most recent Test – the win against England at Leeds, has retained his place in the squad as the back-up gloveman to BJ Watling.
“This is a tour in which we spend quite a lot of time on the west coast of Australia and, given what happened to BJ’s knee in England, it seems wise to have options close at hand.”
Mark Craig is the solitary spinner named.
Opener Hamish Rutherford returns to the Test squad
Hesson and Larsen also named the New Zealand A four-day and one-day squads to meet Sri Lanka A in Lincoln and at Hagley Oval next month — matches which ensure the bulk of New Zealand Cricket’s best players will be in action ahead of the Test series in Australia.
“It makes sense to have our fringe Test players included in these matches,” explains Hesson.
“It’s good to keep them involved in high level cricket, especially on the cusp of the tour to Australia. We know at some stage someone will be required – that’s the attritional nature of a three-match Test series.”
New Zealand A’s one-day squad will play four matches against Sri Lanka A on 5, 7, 10 and 13 October, while the four-day squad will square off in two matches, from 17-20 and 24-27 October.
Hamish Rutherford will play in the New Zealand A one-day team for the first two matches before departing for the BLACKCAPS’ pink ball trial in Hamilton on 8-9 October.
George Worker, Michael Pollard, Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi and Andrew Mathieson will be available for the opening round of Plunket Shield, brought to you by Budget Car and Truck Rental, starting 15 October.
BLACKCAPS Test squad to Australia 2015
Brendon McCullum (captain)
Corey Anderson
Trent Boult
Doug Bracewell
Mark Craig
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
James Neesham
Luke Ronchi
Hamish Rutherford
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
BLACKCAPS tour of Australia schedule
New Zealand A one-day squad
Tom Blundell
Michael Bracewell
Jacob Duffy
Andrew Mathieson
Henry Nicholls
Ed Nuttall
Michael Pollard
Hamish Rutherford
Mitchell Santner
Ish Sodhi
Ben Wheeler
George Worker
Will Young
New Zealand A four-day squad
Todd Astle
Michael Bracewell
Dean Brownlie
Derek de Boorder
Jacob Duffy
Colin Munro
Henry Nicholls
Ed Nuttall
Jeet Raval
Mitchell Santner
Neil Wagner
Ben Wheeler
Will Young
