Published: Apr 03, 2019, 07:17 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 03, 2019, 07:17 AM (IST)
The wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell and legspinner Ish Sodhi have been named in New Zealand‘s 15-man squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The announcement, made at Tai Tapu School in Canterbury, in a nod to former pupil and World Cup debutant, Henry Nicholls, made New Zealand the first team to name their World Cup squad before the deadline of April 23.
The squad, led by Kane Williamson, includes Blundell as the reserve wicketkeeper behind Tom Latham and Sodhi the second spinner after Mitchell Santner.
Sodhi, who has played 30 ODIs, edged out Todd Astle while Blundell, uncapped in ODIs, has been picked ahead of Tim Siefert.
Astle, meanwhile, although was picked for New Zealand’s ODI series before the World Cup against Bangladesh, he played only one game.
Ross Taylor is set to become the seventh New Zealander to play at four World Cups, while it will be the third time at the 50-over showpiece for Williamson, Tim Southee and Martin Guptill.
Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are the other three fast bowlers named while the allrounder spots have gone to Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham. Nicholls and Colin Munro are the other specialist batsmen.
The World Cup starts May 30. New Zealand play their first game on June 1 versus Sri Lanka in Cardiff.
New Zealand’s World Cup squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
