Jimmy Neesham and Matt Henry miss out in New Zealand’s World Cup squad

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was left out of New Zealand’s 15 member World Cup squad, while Grant Elliot, who has not played a One-Day International (ODI) since November 2013 has been drafted in.

Apart from Elliott, the fifteen includes three all-rounders – Daniel Vettori, Corey Anderson and Nathan McCullum.

Another major surprise was fast bowler Matt Henry missing out being a part of the squad. Henry was one of the most successful New Zealand bowler last year, picking up 19 wickers from just six ODIs. The pace department will be led by Tim Southee and Trent Boult, backed up by Mitchell McClenaghan, and Adam Milne, who is among the fastest bowlers in the world today. The vastly experienced Kyle Mills has also been included in the side.

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The Blackcaps account tweeted:

Squad photos – this is all players except Dan Vettori who couldn’t make the event #backtheblackcaps #cwc15 ^RI pic.twitter.com/yM0X21O2Uw

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 8, 2015

The World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand, and the Kiwis, who have been in an excellent form recently, would be one of the favourities to lift the trophy. New Zealand play their first match in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka at Christchurch on February 14.

New Zealand World Cup 2015 squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitch McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor