Seven Uncapped In New Zealand World Cup Squad

Seven Uncapped In New Zealand World Cup Squad

Jacob Oram (second left) has been included in the preliminary squad for World Cup

©REUTERS/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds (SRI LANKA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

New Zealand have included seven players yet to play One-Day International cricket in their 30-man preliminary World Cup squad.

Brent Arnel, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Adam Milne, Rob Nicol, Luke Woodcock and Reece Young are the uncapped players who have earnt recognition on the back of strong performances in domestic cricket.

All-rounder Jacob Oram, who is currently battling back from injury problems, has also been named in the squad despite not playing an ODI since August.

The squad will be trimmed to 15 names by 19th January and the tournament gets underway on 19th February when co-hosts India meet Bangladesh in Dhaka. Sri Lanka are the other hosting country.

“We will continue to closely watch the form of all players involved over the coming month," selector Mark Greatbatch said.

“A number of uncapped guys who have excelled domestically made the squad.  We believe it represents the best one-day cricketers we have in New Zealand.

“There is genuine competition for places as we look to select final 15 for the World Cup and that’s exciting.

“From this group we believe we can select a team that, if it plays to its potential, is capable of and being competitive at the World Cup.”

New Zealand will play warm-up matches against Ireland, on 12th February, and India, on 16th February and they begin their World Cup campaign against Kenya in Chennai on 20th February.

Subsequently, they will play Australia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Canada and Sri Lanka in the group stage of the competition.

New Zealand preliminary World Cup squad: Brent Arnel, Hamish Bennett, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Andy McKay, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Shanan Stewart, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock, Reece Young

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