New Zealand name full squad ahead of ODI and T20I series against India

After seeing off Australia with a comfortable 4-1 win in the ODI series, India would surely be disappointed by the cancellation third and decisive T20I game in Hyderabad on Friday, which prevented them from claiming the number one spot in world rankings.

However, Virat Kohli and company get another chance almost immediately to impose their dominance when they welcome New Zealand later this month. The Black Caps will surely be cautious facing India in their backyard and know well what mistakes Australia made. They had announced just nine players for the three-match ODI and T20I series so far, and have now revealed the whole squad after assessing the performance of the players taking part in the A tour.

Uncapped players Todd Astle and Glenn Phillips will make their way into the squad after the conclusion of the series between India A and New Zealand A in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, in what could be career-defining series for them. They will join Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro and George Worker in the side.

New Zealand A manager Gavin Larsen has heaped praise on Astle. He said, “Todd has been one of the best white-ball players in domestic cricket the last few seasons and he’s backed that up with a strong showing for New Zealand A. Todd brings all-around skill to the squad, quality leg spin, is athletic in the field as well as being able to contribute with the bat.”

The 31-year-old has two First-Class hundreds to his name besides 312 wickets and has played two Tests and T20s for New Zealand so far. The other newcomer, Phillips, has shown consistency in the ongoing A tour, where he has scored an unbeaten 140 in the second unofficial ODI on October 10.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released a statement which said, “Ish Sodhi and Tom Bruce will travel with the squad for the ODIs, having been named in the Twenty20 squad. Ross Taylor and Worker will return to New Zealand following the conclusion of the ODIs.”  

NZ ODI squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker.

T20 squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.