Kane Williamson has made his recovery in time to be named captain for the upcoming ODI World Cup as New Zealand unveiled their squad for the ICC tournament in India on Monday (September 11).

Williamson ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee while fielding for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 31.

Subsequently, he underwent surgery and embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation process. led to him being sidelined from the game for several months.

Besides Williamson, Tim Southee will be playing his fourth ODI World Cup as the right-arm seamer was also named in the 15-member squad.

On the other hand, six players in the squad will feature in the quadrennial event for the first time and they are – Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young.

The group of new players is balanced by an experienced core including Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Tom Latham who all feature in their third 50-over World Cup squads. Latham, also named as vice-captain in the squad, will don the keeping gloves.

Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi are also included in the squad having first featured in the 2019 edition of World Cup in England and Wales.

There were some notable omissions as well since the likes of Finn Allen, Henry Nicholls, Tim Seifert and Adam Milne failed to make a cut.

Gary Stead, the BlackCaps head coach, admitted that he faced tough calls while picking the team.

“It’s always a special time to name a tournament team and I’d like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. It’s a great honour to represent your country at a World Cup," Stead said in a statement issued by NZC.

"From Kane and Tim heading to their fourth tournament to the guys selected for the first time, it’s always a very exciting time. As with any squad named for an ICC tournament, there have been some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players," he added.

New Zealand will open their World Cup campaign against defending champions England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young