Franklin and Ryder return for Emerging Players Tournament

Contracted BLACKCAPS James Franklin and Jesse Ryder return to competitive cricket today for New Zealand’s opening match in the Emerging Players Tournament in Queensland.

The State Wellington Firebirds all-rounders are in the squad as New Zealand take on the hosting Australian Institute of Sport XI in Brisbane in a Twenty20 at Brisbane.

Franklin returns to action for his first international appearance since the 2007 ICC World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka in Jamaica.

A knee injury and subsequent surgery have sidelined him for most of the last 12 months.

Ryder turns out for the first time since a hand injury in February.

The team play the hosts and teams from South Africa and India in the 12-day tournament before taking on Queensland at Cairns.

New Zealand squad: Corey Anderson (State Canterbury Wizards), Brent Arnel (State Northern Knights), Hamish Bennett (State Canterbury Wizards), Trent Boult (State Northern Knights), Neil Broom (State Otago Volts), Leighton Burtt (State Canterbury Wizards), Brendon Diamanti (State Central Stags), James Franklin (State Wellington Firebirds), Bevan Griggs (State Central Stags), Martin Guptill (State Auckland Aces), Greg Hay (State Central Stags), Brandon Hiini (State Canterbury Wizards), Peter Ingram (State Central Stags), Jesse Ryder (State Wellington Firebirds), Robbie Schaw (State Central Stags), BJ Watling (State Northern Knights).

New Zealand Emerging Players Tour of Australia 2008 (all times EAST - NZ time 2 hours)

Emerging Players Tournament, Brisbane

Monday 14 July: Twenty20 v AIS, Redlands Cricket Club (1pm)
Tuesday 15: Twenty20 v South Africa at Redlands Cricket Club (9am)
Thursday 17: 50-over match v AIS, University (9am)
Saturday 19: 50-over match v India, University (9am)
Sunday 20: 50-over match v South Africa, University (9am)
Tuesday 22: 50-over match v AIS, Allan Border Field (9am)
Wednesday 23: 50-over match v India, Allan Border Field (9am)
Friday 25: 50-over match v South Africa, Redlands Cricket Club (1pm)
Saturday 26: EMT FINAL (50-over match), venue TBC, (9am)

NZ v Queensland, Cazalys Cricket Ground, Cairns

Tues.29-Thur. 31: Three-day match
Friday 01 August Twenty20
Sunday 03: 50-over match