New Zealand have recently announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup; which is scheduled to be played from May. Kane Williamson will lead the side in the mega tournament whereas Ross Taylor is scheduled to be playing his fourth Cricket World Cup. Williamson, Tim Southee and Martin Guptill will play in their third World Cup. Tom Blundell earned his maiden ODI call-up in the squad.
Tim Seifert, the second wicketkeeper of the team in recent times has been left out due to his broken finger. Because of this injury, he has been out of action for the past couple of month. On the other hand, Blundell has a great domestic record. He has played 40 games including three half-centuries so far. He has a Test century and considered one of the talented wicketkeepers behind the stumps.
Read here: Former India Women’s coach Tushar Arothe arrested in IPL betting
“I’d like to congratulate all the players selected. To represent your country at a World Cup is a huge honour."
👀 READ all of coach Gary Stead's comments on the @cricketworldcup squad here ➡️ https://t.co/H7SWl2ESSq pic.twitter.com/AkvwgwWTJy
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 2, 2019
Seamer Doug Bracewell also couldn’t find a place who was a part in New Zealand’s home season. However, Coach Gary Stead said that they took some tough calls while choosing the team and thought that this is the right balance.
“The World Cup is the pinnacle of cricket, and to be the first nation to name a squad for the tournament is really exciting. I’d like to congratulate all the players selected. To represent your country at a World Cup is a huge honour, and I know the entire squad and support staff are looking forward to the challenges ahead,” he said.
“As with any squad named for a major tournament, there’s had to be some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players. The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive World Cup,” he further added. “We will have three training camps through April, which will involve many players who are not in this squad, as it’s important they’re ready on stand-by should we lose anybody in the lead up to or at the tournament.”
The three training camps will be held in Lincoln on April 15-16, April 23-24 and April 30 – May 1.
Also read: Marcus Stoinis joins RCB prior to the next encounter
New Zealand squad:
Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham
