Glenn Phillips and Todd Astle might get the chance to make there ODI debut as they are one of the six players added to the New Zealand squad for the three-match series against India, beginning here on October 22.
Apart from Phillips and Astle, Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro and George Worker will join the national squad after the conclusion of the series between India A and New Zealand A in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
Earlier, New Zealand had picked just nine members for the ODIs and had to pick the remaining six after evaluating the performance of the players taking part in the A tour.
Astle has been preferred over leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who remains part of the T20 squad. He has two First-Class centuries to his name besides 312 wickets and has played two Tests and as many T20Is for New Zealand.
Phillips has been in a substantiate form in the ongoing series against India A and scored an unbeaten 140 in the second unofficial ODI on October 10. Following the conclusion of ODIs, senior batsman Ross Taylor and George Worker will head back home.
The nine members of the squad arrived in India on Friday and will play two warm-up games before the ODI series opener. New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen, who is also manager of the A team, said Astle and Phillips have earned their spots through both domestic form and their performances for A team. He said, “Todd has been one of the best white-ball players in domestic cricket the last few seasons and hes backed that up with a strong showing for New Zealand A. Todd brings all round skill to the squad, quality leg spin, is athletic in the field as well as being able to contribute with the bat.”
He further added, “Glenn has made an immediate effect in domestic cricket and has certainly taken his opportunity over here with NZ A, including an outstanding 140 not out. Glenn is an option for us with the gloves in both Twenty20s and ODIs, so we feel we have our bases covered with the 15 weve picked. Its widely accepted that India in their own backyard is the toughest challenge in cricket, so well have to be at our best.”
New Zealand Squads
ODIs: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker.
T20Is: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
