BLACKCAPS add Diamanti, Tuffey to limited overs squads

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed the BLACKCAPS squads for the Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, the One Day International tri-series with Sri Lanka and India, and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Brendon Diamanti joins the previously-named squads for the Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka and the One Day International tri-series with Sri Lanka and India.

For the ICC Champions Trophy, one change is made to the ODI squad with Daryl Tuffey coming in to replace Nathan McCullum.

BLACKCAPS coach Andy Moles said Diamanti’s addition to the limited overs squads in Sri Lanka would provide the side with additional all-rounder cover.

“Brendon is a strong lower order striker and has good control as a medium pace bowler – he will provide valuable back-up for the squad,” said Moles.

Diamanti is currently playing in India with the New Zealand A side. He and the other NZA players joining the BLACKCAPS for the limited overs matches [Bond, Broom, Hopkins, N. McCullum, McGlashan, Mills] will transfer to Colombo on 24 August.

Ian Butler, who is in New Zealand after playing recently in the UK, travels to Sri Lanka on 24 August.

Tuffey has been part of the BLACKCAPS unit for the Test series in Sri Lanka, but will not play the limited overs matches there – the team preferring to take three spinners into the Twenty20 and ODI series.

“With turning wickets here in Sri Lanka, we’re keen to have three spinners on call,” said Moles. “But conditions will be different in South Africa – two spinners will be sufficient there, and Daryl’s inclusion will give our seam attack additional depth.”

Sri Lanka Twenty20 / One-Day International Tri-Series squad:
(14 players previously named)

Daniel Vettori (captain)
Shane Bond
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Brendon Diamanti
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Gareth Hopkins (ODIs only)
Brendon McCullum
Nathan McCullum
Peter McGlashan (Twenty20s only)
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor

ICC Champions Trophy squad

Daniel Vettori (captain)
Shane Bond
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Brendon Diamanti
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Gareth Hopkins
Brendon McCullum
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor
Daryl Tuffey

ENDS