All-rounder Corey Anderson has been ruled out of the 14-man squad announced by New Zealand’s Cricket Board on Friday for the three ODIs against Australia, starting December 4.
Seam bowling all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, who had an impressive Test debut against Pakistan, has been included in the squad. Ross Taylor, who is set to have an eye surgery after the Hamilton Test, has been left out while pacers Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan have also been sidelined due to injuries.
Luke Ronchi, who played the full tour of India, has been dropped. BJ Watling has been picked over him.
Apart from this, an uncapped fast bowler from Auckland Lockie Ferguson has also made his cut. New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen has said Ferguson is effectively a like-for-like replacement for Milne.
“Lockie has bowled with pace, and with Milne not available through a series of injuries, Lockie was the obvious guy to step up. He bowls consistently in the 140 kmph range, and clicks over 150 every now and then. There is some real gas to Lockie Ferguson. There’s an element of surprise and no batsman likes bowlers who are up at that pace.”
On the other hand, Ish Sodhi has been overlooked while the leg-spinner Todd Astle has been given another chance after a muted performance on the green Christchurch track. Hard-hitting batsman Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls have also been picked.
New Zealand ODI Squad for Australia Series:
Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, BJ Watling