New Zealand have announced the 14-member squad, recalling the leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, for the first two One Day Internationals of the five-match series at home against England.
New Zealand chief selector Gavin Larsen said that Sodhi’s inclusion will give the options to the Black Caps in the spin department when Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle have struggled with injury.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Gavin Larsen said, “Both Mitchell and Todd have had injury concerns recently, so having Ish travel with us gives further options in the spin department.”
Larsen signed off by saying, “Having won the previous eight matches, we've been able to keep good consistency in the selection with our ODI squad. We still have a number of guys pushing their case in domestic cricket and that's pleasing, but this is the squad for the first two matches of the series.”
The five-match ODI series between New Zealand and England will get underway with the first One Day on 25 February in Hamilton. Apart from ODIs, they will also play Two Tests, starting on 22 March.
On Wednesday (21 February), the Kiwis lost the Trans-Tasman Tri-Series 2017-18 to Australia after losing the final by 19-runs through DLS method due to rain at Eden Park.
New Zealand Squad:
Kane Williamson(c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi
Schedule
Sun Feb 25
New Zealand vs England, 1st ODI
D/N Seddon Park, Hamilton
Wed Feb 28
New Zealand vs England, 2nd ODI
D/N Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
Sat Mar 3
New Zealand vs England, 3rd ODI
D/N Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Wed Mar 7
New Zealand vs England, 4th ODI
University Oval, Dunedin
Sat Mar 10
New Zealand vs England, 5th ODI
Hagley Oval, Christchurch