By 3 News online staff
The BlackCaps Twenty20, ODI and Test squads for the Sri Lanka tour have been announced with one new face; Canterbury Wizards’ Todd Astle.
Meanwhile, the BlackCaps most experienced player Daniel Vettori has not been considered.
National Selection Manager Kim Littlejohn says Vettori has not recovered sufficiently from his Achilles injury and thus could not be considered for the tour.
“We have kept faith with the bulk of the players who took part in the recent winter tours and ICC World Twenty20.”
The short-form squad includes 12 players who featured in the recent ICC World T20 along with Trent Boult, Andrew Ellis and Tom Latham who played in the last ODI series against the West Indies.
Rob Nicol returns to the Test squad while Martin Guptill has been rested in the two shorter forms of the game as part of “ongoing management of players”.
“It has been a demanding period for the BlackCaps, especially for the players who compete in all three forms,” says Littlejohn.
Doug Bracewell has been selected purely for the Tests to give him time to improving “minor technical issues” with his action, “getting things right in domestic four-day cricket ahead of the Test series”.
“Ronnie Hira and Adam Milne have been included in the ODI squad having previously being selected in T20 sides. We have been impressed by the development of both players and they offer the side something a bit different.
“BJ Watling will return to New Zealand after the one-day matches. He has spent a lot of time touring but has had limited opportunities to play and we believe it is best for his development if he’s made available for the upcoming Plunket Shield fixtures.
Littlejohn speaks highly of the new addition to the team and says that Astle has the ability to contribute to the tour in all three forms of cricket.
He adds that Astle “deserves his opportunity after a putting in consistent performances over a number of seasons”.
Tarun Nethula has not been selected. Littlejohn says that Nethula “would benefit from a return to regular First-Class cricket where he can get some overs under his belt and stake his claim for reselection”.
ODI and Twenty20 squad:
Ross Taylor, captain (Central Stags), Trent Boult (Northern Knights), Andrew Ellis (Canterbury Wizards), James Franklin (Wellington Firebirds), Roneel Hira (Canterbury Wizards), Rob Nicol (Canterbury Wizards), Tom Latham (Canterbury Wizards), Brendon McCullum (Otago Volts), Nathan McCullum (Otago Volts) Kyle Mills (Auckland Aces), Adam Milne (Central Stags), Jacob Oram (Central Stags), Tim Southee (Northern Knights), BJ Watling (Northern Knights) Kane Williamson (Northern Knights).
Test squad:
Ross Taylor, captain (Central Stags), Todd Astle (Canterbury Wizards), Trent Boult (Northern Knights), Doug Bracewell (Central Stags), Daniel Flynn (Northern Knights), James Franklin (Wellington Firebirds), Martin Guptill (Auckland Aces), Chris Martin (Auckland Aces), Brendon McCullum (Otago Volts), Rob Nicol (Canterbury Wizards), Jeetan Patel (Wellington Firebirds), Tim Southee (Northern Knights), Kruger van Wyk (Central Stags), Neil Wagner (Otago Volts), Kane Williamson (Northern Knights).
BlackCaps tour of Sri Lanka schedule:
30/10/2012 - Twenty20 International, Pallekele
1/11/2012 - First ODI, Pallekele
4/11/2012 - Second ODI, Colombo
6/11/2012 - Third ODI, Colombo
10/11/2012 - Fourth ODI, Hambantota
12/11/2012 - Fifth ODI, Hambantota
17/11/2012 - First Test, Galle
25/11/2012 - Second Test, Colombo
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