Eight players from the New Zealand A squad, which played against India A recently, have been named by the New Zealand selector to complete the 17-man squad for the upcoming bilateral series against India.
The batch of 9 players lead by coach Mike Hesson, and skipper Kane Williamson arrived in India a day ago for the series commencing from October 22 and included three ODIs and three T20I matches.
Rewards for impressive performances
George Worker, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Tom Bruce were the names who reaped the rewards for their impressive showings against India A in the recently concluded series which included both Tests and ODIs.
Ish Sodhi, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls and Matt Henry mark a re-entry to the side while Worker, Astle Phillips, and Bruce have got a more of a second chance to prove their credentials at the international level.
Among the lot of eight players, keen eyes will be set on all-rounder George Worker who is expected to open with Martin Guptill as per the plans of coach Mike Hesson.
Hesson has already indicated his views on shuffling the batting order by sending down Tom Latham in the middle order and utilizing Worker as an opener. He made his debut as an 18-year-old for Central Districts in 2007 but had to undergo a tough grind to earn a place in the BlackCaps squad.
“We are looking at the two guys who are doing it at the moment. Colin Munro and George Worker are two guys who certainly have some good qualities to create a good strike rate at the top of the order, said Hesson”
Things changed in favor of the spin bowling all-rounder last season after he scored 659 runs at an average of 82.37 and picked up 12 wickets in List-A cricket. This enabled him to break into the squad for the first time for the Bangladesh T20Is in England before getting a game in the Ireland tri-series.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and power hitter Colin Munro will try to make most of the opportunity after facing the rejection earlier this year. Sodhi and Munro were both not a part of New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad.
While Sodhi is making a comeback after a short gap having played against Ireland in the series preceding the CT 2017, Munro is featuring in the national squad for the first time since last appearing 2013.
Practice game in Mumbai
The side will play two warm-up games against the Board President’s XI, on October 17 and 19 at the CCI.
Full Squad:
Kane Williamson (C), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Tom Bruce
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