Fit again Henry & Ferguson back in New Zealand squad for Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
Their inclusion though has brought some harsh news for experienced pacer Hamish Bennett, who did a fine job in the LOIs against India. Bennett and all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn are the ones to miss out.
New Zealand have announced their 15-member squad for the much-regarded Chappell-Hadlee Trophy which comprises 3 ODIs, to be played in Australia from March 13 to March 20.
The pace bowling trio of Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson - which brought New Zealand some serious success in the ODI World Cup - is back together. All the three pacers were included in the three-match Test series against Australia but their stints were cut short due to injuries.
Matt Henry broke his thumb while Lockie Ferguson suffered a calf strain in the first Test itself. Trent Boult, who was returning from injury, copped a nasty blow on the hand while batting and was ruled out.
The left-arm pacer made a return in the Tests against India and seemed to have gained rhythm after a rusty first innings. Henry and Ferguson will feature in the ODIs for the first time since the ODI World Cup. In this while, the Black Caps have played only one ODI series against India, in which they clean swept Kohli & Co 3-0.
The pacers will slot back into the team and will find support in Tim Southee, who has had brilliant returns in the recently-concluded ODIs and Tests against India and Kyle Jamieson, who had a sensational debut in the same series."It's great to welcome back the class of Trent, Matt and Lockie who spearheaded our run to the World Cup final last year. Kyle's made every post a winner since his international debut this season and he'll be a handy asset to have in Australia," New Zealand coach Garry Stead said while the squad announcement.
The key for the Kiwi bowling attack will be swing. As, apart from Ferguson, they do not have a lot of pace in the the attack, and when the ball stops to do something in the air or off the pitch, the effectiveness of the Kiwi pace attack decreases a fair bit.
Their inclusion though has brought some harsh news for experienced pacer Hamish Bennett, who did a fine job in the LOIs against India. Bennett and all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn are the ones to miss out.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who was dropped for the recently-concluded Test series against India after poor returns against Australia, retains his place in the squad. He will be complemented by leggie Ish Sodhi, who has been picked ahead of Todd Astle.
The Kiwis though will not have happy memories of their last tour Down Under when they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss in Tests. And, Stead had no qualms in conceding that, "Playing Australia in Australia is one of the great challenges in world cricket and you know you will be severely tested in all aspects of the game. Our one-day unit is a pretty settled one with plenty of experience and I think that showed in the recent series against India."
That said, 50-over cricket is a different ball game altogether and Williamson's boys will expect to have a better outing this time around.
New Zealand last clashed with Australia in white-ball cricket in the ODI World Cup, where while chasing a target of 243, the team was bowled out for just 157.
New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
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