source:
www.nzcricket.co.nz
Black Caps squad for Chappell-Hadlee series
The Black Caps selection panel today announced the 14-man squad to contest the inaugural three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series against Australia in December.
The squad is:
Stephen Fleming (captain)
Nathan Astle
Mathew Sinclair
Hamish Marshall
Craig McMillan
Scott Styris
Chris Cairns
Chris Harris
Jacob Oram
Brendon McCullum
Daniel Vettori
Andre Adams
Kyle Mills
Ian Butler
Coach John Bracewell said the squad was relatively straight forward to select.
“This is a squad that has performed pretty well during the last 12 months. They have hardly lost a one-day match and there is a degree of confidence. Apart from a couple of injuries, this is the nucleus of the squad that has helped the Black Caps rise to number three on the ICC Championship points table.â€
Bracewell pointed to Daryl Tuffey, James Franklin and Michael Papps as notable absentees in the squad.
Peter Fulton, who made his one-day international debut in Bangladesh, has also not been selected.
“Tuffey is not yet ready for a return to international cricket but is making progress with a specific rehabilitation programme. Hopes are high he will be available for selection during the home series’ against Sri Lanka and Australia.â€
Tuffey said today he was looking forward to regaining his place in the side but wanted to be 100 per cent sure of his fitness before taking on the rigours of international cricket again.
"I am pretty positive and am nearing full fitness. The rehab is going well but I’m not quite ready for international cricket. I am playing in the first couple of State Championship matches to get some form under my belt and am looking forward to putting my hand up for selection for the home series."
While Franklin is available for selection to play Australia in the second Test starting in Adelaide on Friday, the decision to leave him out of the one-day series was a precaution to ensure his ****ling groin injury is properly recovered in time for the home series.
“It has not had time to fully clear up and, while it is not holding him back at the moment, we need to take the right course of action to ensure his long-term fitness without the immediate worry of demanding one-day cricket.â€
Bracewell said he was pleased Papps had recovered from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the Bangladesh tour and noted he had been scoring plenty of runs in New Zealand. But with Mathew Sinclair having backed up his excellent form for New Zealand A in South Africa with good displays in Bangladesh and now Australia, it was felt the young Cantabrian opener should maintain his momentum at home in preparation for possible inclusion in the squad to play Sri Lanka.
“Mathew has been the form horse to date and while it is unfortunate for Michael to have missed out on going to Bangladesh because of injury, it adds depth and options for the selectors with a busy summer at home ahead.â€
Bracewell said the arrival of fresh faces in Cairns, Harris and Adams would bring new enthusiasm to the camp.
“Cairns and Harris always add value to the squad on and off the field and they have been keeping cricket-fit by playing in the New Zealand Academy warm-up matches following their involvement in the one-day series against Bangladesh.
“We like what Adams will offer us as an impact player in Australian conditions and he impressed during his last Australian tour,†Bracewell said.
All three players will join the Black Caps in Melbourne on December 1 to prepare for the first match at Telstra Dome on December 5.
Test players Mark Richardson, Chris Martin and Paul Wiseman will travel back to New Zealand with Franklin on December 1.