New Zealand vs South Africa 2017: Fit-Again Luke Ronchi, Martin Guptill Return, Colin Munro Dropped For ODIs 1
CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH - MARCH 29: Martin Guptill and Luke Ronchi of New Zealand celebrate after dismissing Stephan Myburgh of The Netherlands during New Zealand v Netherlands match at the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on March 29, 2014 in Chittagong, Bangladesh. (Photo by Graham Crouch-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

New Zealand have named a 14-member squad for the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, which is scheduled to take place later this month. Fit-again Luke Ronchi and Martin Guptill have made a comeback to the side while Colin Munro has been dropped.

Ronchi returns after recovering from groin injury whereas Guptill makes a comeback after missing the last two games of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy against Australia due to a hamstring injury. The second game of the series was washed out and New Zealand won the third game to regain the Trophy.

Ish Sodhi, who was specially called in the squad for the third ODI, has retained his place in ODIs and has also been named in the T20I squad while Colin Munro, who failed with a string of poor scores of 3 and 2, has been axed.

Speaking about the selection of the T20I squad, Gavin Larsen – the Kiwis selector – said:

“The way we performed in the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh was really pleasing and it’s a format we’ve been consistent in over a long period.

“It’s an exciting team. There’s a lot of experience, but you also have the likes of Tom Bruce, Ben Wheeler and Lockie Ferguson who have made bright starts to their international careers.

“It will be great to have Luke back in the mix. He’s the number one white-ball wicketkeeper in the country and brings considerable experience to the group.”

Larsen said it’s the right time to give a chance to Jimmy Neesham to bat up the order.

“Colin hasn’t quite shown the consistency he would like in the middle-order and we feel Jimmy is deserved of an opportunity with the bat at six,” he said.

“Having two frontline spinners in the side gives us flexibility and Ish is an aggressive bowler who in the right conditions can be a real threat for us.

“South Africa are the top-ranked team and have a number of players who can change the game very quickly. It’s going to be a massive challenge,” Larsen added.

South Africa is set to tour New Zealand in the second half of this month to play a full-fledged series comprising of a T20I, five ODIs and three-Test matches. The first game of the series, which will also be the only T20I of the tour, will be played on February 17 at Eden Park in Auckland before the teams fly to Hamilton to kick off the ODI series.