BLACKCAPS team named for Twenty/20 matches

The BLACKCAPS squad for the two Twenty/20 matches in Wellington on December 22 and Auckland on December 26 is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Andre Adams
Nathan Astle
Shane Bond
James Franklin
Peter Fulton
Mark Gillespie
James Marshall
Brendon McCullum
Peter McGlashan
Jeetan Patel
Ross Taylor

Shane Bond will not play in Auckland where his place in the team will be taken by Michael Mason.

In naming the team, coach John Bracewell said: “Our main focus for the season is the World Cup. It is essential, if we wish to perform well there, that we provide reconditioning windows for some of our key players, continue to build depth in all areas and provide contingencies in case of injury. This Twenty/20 series provides a re-conditioning opportunity for Daniel Vettori and then Shane Bond, and others will be provided with that opportunity during the one-day series.

“The selectors have taken this opportunity to see Brendon McCullum open the batting and we couple this chance with providing Peter McGlashan his first game, and he will take the gloves. We hope to give Gareth Hopkins an opportunity later in the series as well, but he is injured on this occasion.

Not considered for selection: Jacob Oram (hamstring), Kyle Mills (back to cricket early New Year), and Scott Styris (back to cricket early New Year), Gareth Hopkins (arm muscle injury).


ENDS