New Zealand have recalled Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner back to their ODI squad for the first three games of the upcoming series against India.
While de Grandhomme comes in place of James Neesham, who suffered a grade-one hamstring strain during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Nelson, Latham – who sat out of the Sri Lanka series – returns at the expense of Tim Seifert, who had managed only 33 runs in 2 innings.
The surprise recall in the 14-man squad announced on Tuesday, however, was of all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who last played an ODI in March 2018.
Speaking about the squad, head coach Gary Stead said, “Our two main priorities have been to select and prepare a squad capable of winning what is shaping as a massive series against India, and gathering as much information as possible ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.
“Tom and Colin are experienced players in this format and will offer quality in their respective roles, and Mitch and Doug showed us what they are capable of during the T20 on Friday night.”
Along with Neesham, Todd Astle too is out due to an injury – knee – and the duo is expected to be a part of the squad for the last two ODIs of the series.
“We were impressed by Jimmy against Sri Lanka, and are keen to see more of Todd – who has a different skillset and performed well for us last year,” Stead explained. “It’s just important that, after their respective injuries, we can see them playing again and be confident of bringing them back at this level.”
Squad
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
