New Zealand on Wednesday (April 3) announced their 15-man squad for this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup, slated to be held in England and Wales from May 30.

Kane Williamson will lead the Black Caps in the quadrennial tournament, while the veteran Ross Taylor is set to become the seventh New Zealand player to feature in four Cricket World Cups. The inclusion of rookie wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is the only real surprise in the 15-man squad.

Blundell, 28, has represented New Zealand in two Tests, making a century on debut, and three T20Is. However, he will serve as a backup to Tom Latham during the mega event. Tim Seifert, a regular back-up wicketkeeper in recent times, has been snubbed mainly due to a broken finger.

Henry Nicholls will open the batting with veteran Martin Guptill after displacing Colin Munro at the top of the order. Munro, however, will travel to UK as batting cover.

Mitchell Santner will be New Zealand’s' primary spinner in the World Cup, with Ish Sodhi edging Todd Astle to claim the second slow bowling position.

James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme were named as the all-rounders, while the four frontline pace bowlers include Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry.

Kiwi coach Gary Stead said that there were some tough calls during the selection process, but felt the right balance has been assembled.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle of cricket, and to be the first nation to name a squad for the tournament is really exciting. I’d like to congratulate all the players selected. To represent your country at a World Cup is a huge honour, and I know the entire squad and support staff are looking forward to the challenges ahead,” Stead quoted as saying by ICC.

"As with any squad named for a major tournament, there’s had to be some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players. The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive World Cup.

"We will have three training camps through April, which will involve many players who are not in this squad, as it’s important they’re ready on stand-by should we lose anybody in the lead up to or at the tournament," he added.

New Zealand will begin their World Cup campaign on June 1 against Sri Lanka in Cardiff.

Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor