Search

show me:

New Zealand Cricket World Cup squad named

3 minute read

Kane Williamson will lead a New Zealand squad featuring one uncapped player in Tom Blundell at the Cricket World Cup in England.

KANE WILLIAMSON of New Zealand bats during the third game of the One Day International Series between New Zealand and Pakistan at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, New Zealand.
KANE WILLIAMSON of New Zealand bats during the third game of the One Day International Series between New Zealand and Pakistan at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, New Zealand. Picture: Dianne Manson/Getty Images

Uncapped wicketkeeper Tom Blundell and legspinner Ish Sodhi have won contentious battles for places in the New Zealand squad to contest the Cricket World Cup.

The Kiwis are the first nation to unveil their 15-an squad for the tournament in England and Wales starting next month, with Kane Williamson leading an experienced batting group and Trent Boult spearheading the bowlers.

Williamson and Boult are among seven players who were part of the New Zealand's surge to a maiden final appearance in 2015 under Brendon McCullum. They were well beaten by Australia in the MCG decider.

Also back are top-order batsmen Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, and seamers Tim Southee and Matt Henry. It will be Taylor's fourth World Cup.

Latham will be the first-choice 'keeper, with Wellington's Blundell promoted as backup after the more proven Tim Seifert was ruled out with a broken finger.

A late bloomer at 28, he has played two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals.

Sodhi has headed off fellow-legspinner Todd Astle to earn selection, joining left-armer Mitchell Santner as a second tweaker.

Big-hitting opener Colin Munro has been retained despite lean ODI returns over the summer, while Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham are allrounders.

Coach Gary Stead has placed faith in experience, with the squad tallying more than 1000 ODIs between them.

"There's had to be some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players," Stead said.

"The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive World Cup.

"As a one-day unit we've been pretty consistent over the past few years and possess a very experienced group of core players, proven at the top level."

NEW ZEALAND:

Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Tom Blundell, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au