BLACKCAPS announce 15-man squad for One-Day International series in India

The New Zealand selectors today named a 15-man ODI squad for the tour of India.

Daniel Vettori (c) – Northern Knights
Grant Elliott – Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Gareth Hopkins – Auckland Aces
Jamie How – Central Stags
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Andy McKay – Wellington Firebirds
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Jesse Ryder – Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Scott Styris – Northern Knights
Ross Taylor – Central Stags
Daryl Tuffey – Auckland Aces
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights

Selector Mark Greatbatch said: “We have kept faith with the bulk of the squad who played in the disappointing tour of Bangladesh and who have performed well in the current Test series against India.

“The squad sees the return of Jamie How who deserves his opportunity after impressing the selectors for some time. We feel One-day cricket is the format for him to return to international cricket.

“A couple of players, Martin Guptill and Gareth Hopkins, which were part of the New Zealand A team who recently toured Zimbabwe will stay on. Martin has shown good form with the bat and Gareth will provide wicket keeping cover for Brendon McCullum.

“Unfortunately this means BJ Watling misses out on selection and I’m sure he will look to score plenty of runs for the Northern Knights and press for selection in the future.

“We welcome back Scott Styris from injury while Hamish Bennett and Shanan Stewart were unavailable for selection due to injury.

“This 15-man squad is really looking forward to playing positive cricket in what promises to be an exciting one-day series.”