Scott Kuggeleijn, Hamish Bennett and uncapped Kyle Jamieson Following injuries to first-choice seamers Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, New Zealand have been forced to name a new-look pace attack for the three-match ODI series at home against India, Cricbuzz reports.
While Henry suffered a broken thumb, Boult and Ferguson have been sidelined with a broken hand and a calf strain respectively. However, New Zealand are hopeful of Boult recovering in time for the two Test matches.
Scott Kuggeleijn, Hamish Bennett and uncapped Kyle Jamieson have been picked in the absence of the trio with Tim Southee leading the attack. Kuggelejin has so far played only two ODIs for New Zealand whereas Bennett has played 16. Both these seamers played their most recent ODIs almost three years ago in 2017. Legspinner Ish Sodhi will play the first ODI at Seddon Park but will be released in time to play for New Zealand A in the four-day match against India A in Christchurch.
On the batting front, Henry Nicholls will continue to open the innings alongside Martin Guptill with the middle order also receiving a boost following the return of Tom Latham who was out with a broken finger previously.
Colin de Grandomme, James Neesham and Mitchell Santner will continue being the allrounders. This will be New Zealand's first ODI assignment ever since the World Cup final in July last year. "Tim Southee has an important job leading our new look pace attack, which has a huge opportunity against some of the very best batsmen in the world," coach Gary Stead said. "While the bowling lineup has a fresh look, the batting is very settled and we'll likely have the same top eight batsmen from the World Cup finals.
"Jimmy and Colin continue as the pace bowling allrounders after strong campaigns in England and they will offer us plenty of firepower and versatility. Henry will remain at the top of the order after impressing in the opportunities he's had. He's been in good form opening for Canterbury in the latest rounds of the Ford Trophy with a hundred and a half century to his name," he further added.
