BLACKCAPS squad named for limited-overs series in UAE

New Zealand Cricket has announced the BLACKCAPS squad for the limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in November.

The squad is:

Daniel Vettori (Captain)
Shane Bond
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
James Franklin
Martin Guptill
Brendon McCullum
Nathan McCullum
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Aaron Redmond
Tim Southee
Scott Styris
Ross Taylor
BJ Watling

Confirmation of Oram and Vettori’s selection will be subject to fitness assessments.

Jesse Ryder, Daryl Tuffey, Brendon Diamanti and Grant Elliott were not considered for selection as they are recovering from injuries sustained during the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.

Northern Districts batsman BJ (Bradley-John) Watling earns his first call-up to the BLACKCAPS squad after strong performances with the bat during the past year. South African-born Watling finished third in the 2008/09 State Shield batting averages and MVP rankings, with an average of 63.62 including a top score of 113 not out, against Auckland in January.

Watling toured this year with the New Zealand Emerging Players in Australia, hitting scores of 94 and 115 not out, and recorded a top score of 97 with the New Zealand A side in India. Watling will also provide wicketkeeping cover.

All-rounder Scott Styris returns to the BLACKCAPS squad after last playing a one-day international against India in March. He played in the ICC World Twenty20 and was called into the ICC Champions Trophy squad earlier this month as cover for Grant Elliott, but was not required to play.

Pace bowler Tim Southee also comes back into the squad. He last played in limited-overs internationals during the Chappell-Hadlee series and India tour last summer, and toured recently with the NZ Emerging Players and New Zealand A sides.

Nathan McCullum comes in to the side after playing in the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, while Aaron Redmond is selected as a top order batsman – the role he played after being called in to the Champions Trophy.

BLACKCAPS captain and selector Daniel Vettori said despite a number of injuries in the wider squad, there was close competition for key places in the side.

“This tour is a good opportunity for Watling to get a taste of top level cricket – as selectors we believe he’s got strong potential as a top order batsman,” said Vettori. “Aaron Redmond’s made a strong case for his inclusion with confident performances at the World Twenty20 and Champions Trophy”.

“Nathan McCullum and Tim Southee will give us flexibility and options which will suit the short, sharp nature of this tour – but Jeetan Patel and Iain O’Brien are continuing to push hard for places in the squad.”

Vettori said he was pleased to be able to take a strong side to the UAE series. “Coming off a great performance in the Champions Trophy there’s a confidence in the squad that we can do well in this series on neutral ground,” said Vettori.

“It’s disappointing that we will be without some key players – but our campaign in South Africa showed there’s depth in the squad, with a number of players available to step up and perform.”

The BLACKCAPS leave New Zealand for Dubai on 27 October. The first of three One-Day Internationals against Pakistan is on 3 November at Abu Dhabi. The series closes with two Twenty20 Internationals on 12 and 13 November at Dubai, before both teams travel to New Zealand for the three-Test series.

Injury updates:

Daryl Tuffey sustained a fracture of the 4th metacarpal on his right hand during a practice session at the ICC Champions Trophy. The injury has not required surgery, and is healing well. He will be reassessed prior to the Test series against Pakistan at home.

Grant Elliott sustained a fracture to his right thumb while batting against England at the ICC Champions Trophy. Specialist medical opinion recommends rest for six weeks. He will be reassessed prior to the Test series against Pakistan at home.

Brendon Diamanti was ruled out of contention with a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade. The injury emerged during the Champions Trophy but was not diagnosed until MRI scans were performed on his return to New Zealand.

Jesse Ryder is receiving treatment for an abdominal tear and adductor strain. His progress will be monitored and reassessed prior to the Test series against Pakistan at home.

Daniel Vettori sustained a hamstring tear during the Pakistan semi-final game at the ICC Champions Trophy. He has responded well to treatment and is expected to be fit for the UAE series; he will undergo a fitness assessment to confirm his availability.

Jacob Oram is progressing well after his hamstring injury in the early stages of the Champions Trophy and is expected to be fit for the UAE series; he will undergo a fitness assessment to confirm his availability.

Ian Butler suffered knee pain during the Otago Volts’ final match at the Champions League, but has been cleared of serious injury. He is also still recovering from gastro-enteritis contracted in South Africa.