New Zealand have announced their full squad for the limited overs series against India starting October 22. Three new players will be making a debut in the ODIs— Todd Astle and Glenn Phillips and Tom Bruce in T20Is. New Zealand initially announced a 9-member squad excluding Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom. They waited for New Zealand A’s tour of India A to conclude to select the rest of the squad. The last time the BlackCaps toured India they were beaten by 3-2. They will be looking to return the favour this time around in the ODI series starting October 22. However, they will be looking to maintain the winning streak in T20Is against India. The Kiwis have never lost a single T20I against India. The hosts will be aiming to change that when Ashish Nehra plays his farewell game at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on December 1.
New Zealand selector and NZ A Manager Gavin Larsen clarified the selection of youngsters in the squad for India tour. Larsen 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-round skill to the squad, quality leg spin, is athletic in the field as well as being able to contribute with the bat,”.
“Glenn has made an immediate effect in domestic cricket and has certainly taken his opportunity over here with NZ A, including an outstanding 140 not out. Glenn is an option for us with the gloves in both Twenty20s and ODIs, so we feel we have our bases covered with the 15 we’ve picked,” he added.
“All of the players picked across the squads have some experience in India, but we know we’re playing at six different venues and are going to have to adapt quickly and continually,” he concluded.
A happy Glenn Phillips and Todd Astle after being named in the BLACKCAPS ODI and T20 squads: https://t.co/V8FEOHK5oB pic.twitter.com/uTAw6CCxVD
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 14, 2017
“It’s widely accepted that India in their own backyard is the toughest challenge in cricket, so we’ll have to be at our best.”
New Zealand ODI squad-
Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker
New Zealand T20I 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
