Six New Zealand Newcomers As Taylor Stands Down

Six New Zealand Newcomers As Taylor Stands Down

Brendon McCullum will take over the captaincy of New Zealand in all three formats of the game

©REUTERS / Action Images

Brendon McCullum will captain New Zealand during their tour of South Africa while previous skipper Ross Taylor takes a break from international cricket.

McCullum was handed the limited overs captaincy as per a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Board decision but Taylor declined the opportunity to retain the Test leadership, resulting in McCullum taking on captaincy of all three teams.

Taylor will be absent from the team until at least the home series with England in February after coming to an agreement with the board.

New Zealand play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests in South Africa between 21st December and 15th January as well as three One-Day Internationals on 19th, 22nd and 25th January.

McCullum will lead a Twenty20 squad that contains five uncapped players - Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro, Derek de Boorder and Mitchell McClenaghan while Peter Fulton has been handed a recall.

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"We believe the squad has a good blend of experience and young talented players who we are sure are ready for the challenges ahead," coach Mike Hesson said.

"Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro, Derek de Boorder and Mitchell McClenaghan are in good form and have shown considerable promise.  They deserve their chance to impress at a higher level. 

"Peter Fulton is also recalled after enjoying a good start to the domestic season for Canterbury. "

The Test squad includes uncapped spinner Bruce Martin with Dean Brownlie and Fulton recalled.

"The majority of the squad took part in the recent Test series in Sri Lanka but we felt that it was necessary to make a few changes," Hesson added.

"Bruce Martin is a specialist spinner who can bowl a lot of overs and he deserves an opportunity after showing good recent form."

New Zealand T20I squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Derek de Boorder, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Rob Nicol

New Zealand Test squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Bruce Martin, Jeetan Patel, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling

© Cricket World 2012