New Zealand all-rounder Martin Guptill not yet fully recovered from a hamstring injury that made way for George Worker to make comeback to the national One Day International side for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies.

On Tuesday, New Zealand announced the 15-man ODI squad with George Worker to open the batting in alongside Colin Munro in the One Day series against the West Indies, starting with first ODI on 20 December at Cobham Oval (New) in Whangarei.

Commenting on Worker’s inclusion in ODI squad, New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said, “We will miss Martin's influence at the top of the order, but unfortunately he is not back to full fitness and this provides a well-earned opportunity for George in the ODI series.”

Larsen further said of pacer Lockie Ferguson, “Lockie (Ferguson) has been in excellent form and we got to see a bit of him in Wellington while he was a part of the Test squad. To have him and Adam Milne in the squad is exciting from a pace perspective.”

Captain Kane Williamson will play only the opening ODI before sitting out the remaining two ODIs and the first Twenty20 international, while Neil Broom and Mitchell Santner — will not play the series opener ODI due to a shoulder injury — to replace Tim Southee.

Larsen concluded by saying, “It's a long summer, so for those guys playing in all three formats it's important we keep them fresh and build depth leading into a world cup year. Tim and Kane will both take breaks during this series, but there will be others who will also rest throughout the season.”

New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (C - first ODI only), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee (first ODI only), Ross Taylor, George Worker

Coming in: Neil Broom (second and third ODI), Mitchell Santner (second and third ODI)