Luke Ronchi and Neil Broom have been recalled by New Zealand into their 13-man squad for their upcoming One-Day International series against Bangladesh. The Kiwis made four changes to the squad that was thrashed 3-0 by Australia in the recently-concluded Chappell-Hadlee series.
Broom, who last played for the Black Caps way back in 2010, was rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic circuit. The right-handed batsman has scored 354 runs in seven innings at an outstanding average of 59 in the 2016-17 Plunket Shield first-class tournament. In 2015-16, he was the highest run-getter in the Ford Trophy as he scored 508 runs in nine matches with three centuries and two fifties. He is expected to fill in for Ross Taylor, who has been ruled out after a surgery in his left eye.
Broom had earlier signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire in 2013 but returned to his native country to bolster his chances of getting a recall from the national team.
Delighted with his recall, the 33-year old said:“I appreciate everything Derbyshire have done for me and have really enjoyed my time with the club.It was a tough call at the time. I had signed with Derbyshire for two years and I would’ve liked to see out the contract, but to get an international recall just outweighs it, so it was a pretty easy decision.”
“When I first came in, I was overawed by everything and just really really wanted to do well and I put too much pressure on myself, so this time I’m not going to do that.I tell myself this might be my last game every time I go out there. It’s probably something they tell you not to do, but you’ve got to enjoy every moment of it and try and have a couple of good years with the team,” he added.
New Zealand’s chairman of selectors Gavin Larsen also welcomed Broom’s inclusion in the team. He said:“With 12 years of domestic cricket under his belt and having previously spent time in the BlackCaps squad, Neil brings a lot of experience to the group. Neil was the top run-scorer in the Ford Trophy competition last year, with an average of 84.66. He has an impressive strike-rate and obviously fills the number four role with Ross out injured.
Luke Ronchi, who had a poor outing in India, was dropped from the squad for the Australia series but got a call after BJ Watling managed only 31 runs in three matches against Steven Smith’s men. Henry Nicholls and Todd Astle, who were in the squad for the Australia series, have also been left out.
The three-match ODI series will start on December 26 in Christchurch.
NZ ODI squad:
Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee