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NZC - BLACKCAPS AND NEW ZEALAND ‘A’ SQUADS ANNOUNCED

New Zealand Cricket has announced the BLACKCAPS squads for the August-September tour to Sri Lanka – as well as a New Zealand ‘A’ squad which will play in India in August. Selectors have named an initial BLACKCAPS squad of 15 for the two Tests in Sri Lanka, with several subsequent changes to the squad for the Twenty20 Internationals and One-Day Internationals.

Test squad:

Daniel Vettori (captain)
Craig Cumming
Grant Elliott
Daniel Flynn
Martin Guptill
Chris Martin
Brendon McCullum
Tim McIntosh
Iain O’Brien
Jacob Oram
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor
Daryl Tuffey
Reece Young

Auckland wicketkeeper Reece Young receives his first call-up to the national side. Head of the selection panel Glenn Turner said Young had earned selection as a specialist keeper, and would provide cover for McCullum. Daryl Tuffey returns to the BLACKCAPS squad on the strength of a strong domestic season, which saw him take 27 first class wickets at an average of 22, finishing second highest wicket-taker in the State Championship. Turner said the selectors had taken Sri Lankan conditions into account in Tuffey’s selection, and in going into the Test series with one fewer front-line seam bowler than is customary in a party of 15. Craig Cumming secures a place in the squad as specialist batting cover for the Test series.

Twenty20 / One-Day International squad:

Daniel Vettori (captain)
Shane Bond
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Gareth Hopkins (ODIs only)
Brendon McCullum
Nathan McCullum
Peter McGlashan (Twenty20s only)
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor

Several specialist limited-overs players come into the squad for the Twenty20 and ODI segment of the tour, including Broom, Butler and Nathan McCullum, along with Mills and Bond who strengthen the seam bowling attack for the limited-overs games. A number of these players would transfer to the BLACKCAPS squad from the New Zealand ‘A’ side, which is expected to be playing in Chennai prior to the limited overs series in Sri Lanka. Their selection is dependent on confirmation of the ‘A’ tour, due later this week.  Peter McGlashan comes in as a batsman who can cover as wicketkeeper for the Twenty20 matches, and Gareth Hopkins as a cover wicketkeeper/batsman for the ODIs. Turner said the selectors have left their options open for a 15th player to be added at a later date depending on form and requirements at the time. The inclusion of three spin bowlers in the limited-overs squad would ensure the team could capitalise on sub-continent conditions, and provide cover in case of injuries, he added.

NEW ZEALAND ‘A’ SQUAD

A New Zealand ‘A’ side to play in India during August (dates to be confirmed) is:

Peter Fulton (captain)
Brent Arnel
Shane Bond
Neil Broom
Brendon Diamanti
Gareth Hopkins
Jamie How
Peter McGlashan
Nathan McCullum
Kyle Mills
Tarun Nethula
Aaron Redmond
Tim Southee
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson

The squad includes several players who will go on to join the BLACKCAPS for the Twenty20 and One-Day International phase of the Sri Lanka series. Turner said the A tour would provide those players a period of preparation for the limited-overs games. “Many of the squad will be coming off their winter break, so the opportunity to get game time in sub-continent conditions is ideal. Shane Bond will also have a good opportunity to get up to speed before returning to the BLACKCAPS.” The squad includes one newcomer to the A side, Auckland leg-spinner Tarun Nethula. “He was the top wicket taker in the State Championship last season, and is an interesting prospect,” said Turner.