New Zealand has unveiled its lineup for the ODI series later this month after thrillingly defeating Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series on the final ball. In the absence of important senior players like Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, and Mitchell Santner, who will be representing their respective clubs in the IPL 2023, Tom Latham will be captaining the team in the 50-over format.
Two rookies, Chad Bowes, and Ben Lister have been added to the team for the white-ball series as other familiar faces return to the ODI setup. Lister made his Twenty20 international debut in India a few weeks back, but Bowes was called up to the side following a succession of standout displays for Canterbury. “It’s always exciting as a coach to have new players in the environment and to have players putting their hands up to be selected again in a particular format. Chad has been impressive for a number of seasons at the top of the order for Canterbury as well as being an excellent fielder.
We are set to play 16 white-ball matches between now and the start of May so there will be a number of chances for players to test themselves in familiar and unfamiliar conditions,” Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, said. In the meantime, after an absence of one and a half years, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell, who has established himself as one of the essential components of the red-ball team, makes his eagerly anticipated comeback to the ODI setup.
The 32-year-achievements old’s in the longest format of the game were hailed by the New Zealand head coach, who anticipates great things from the reliable batter in a demanding white-ball schedule. “Tom Blundell, in particular, is someone who we’ve been hugely impressed by in international cricket over the past 18 months as a leader in the Test team and then domestically with the Wellington Firebirds. It’s an exciting opportunity for Tom ahead of a big year of white-ball cricket,” Stead said.
ODI Squad – Tom Latham (capt), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
