http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Announces Squad for Indian Test Series
New Zealand cricket board has announced a new look squad for the tour of India, following the 4-0 series defeat against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. The Black Caps would play three tests and five ODI matches in India.
The Kiwis endured perhaps the worst ever defeat of their cricketing history when they went down to minnows Bangladesh 4-0 in a five match ODI series.
The bruised and battered outfit has now another mountain to climb as they square up for a test series against the number one ranked test team in the world.
The formidable Indians dominated http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in a two test match series and recorded a convincing win in the second test after a snatching victory from the jaws of the Kangaroos in the Mohali test.
They would be the overwhelming favourites against the Black Caps who have their pride to salvage as they take on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the opening test match of the series that starts at Ahmadabad on the 4th of next month.
The first test would be followed by two back to back tests in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792 and Nagpur. After the test match contest the two teams would lock horns in a five match ODI series that starts with the first match at Guwahati on 28th November.
The second match is slated to take place in Jaipur on 1st December, the match would be a day and night affair.
The third match of the series is also a day and night encounter that would take place at Vadodara on the 4th of December. Bangalore is the venue for the fourth match of the series; the match would be another day and night battle scheduled for
7th December.
The fifth and final match of the series is set for Chennai on the 10th of December, this game would also be a day and night contest.
Meanwhile the New Zealand Cricket Board’s selection committee claimed that the reason for choosing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 team is to build for the future.
Subsequently the best performer of the series against Bangladesh, middle-order batsman Kim Williamson has been drafted in the test team for the tour.
"Kane Williamson is an impressive young talent and his game continues to improve with his involvement in the New Zealand team, while Bennett did everything asked of him on the recent tour of Bangladesh and offers the side a genuine pace option," New Zealand
coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said.
The former hard-hitting batsman who brought the pinch hitting concept to the game during the 1992 50 overs World Cup added that the series provides an ideal opportunity to the youngster for improving his game, and cementing his spot in the side.
"The group of players coming from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 has had the ideal preparation with three hard-fought matches in difficult conditions," Greatbatch said. "The rest of the squad have been training hard and are keen to prove that they are better
than the recent performances in Bangladesh. Players outside the 15 will continue to be considered and we will closely monitor performances in the Plunket Shield. The door has not closed for any player."
He further said, that he was well aware that their recent performances have not been up to scratch and they need to improve if his team wishes to compete with what is a very formidable Indian side - the team however seems determined
to do so.
The series would also be another stern examination for Daniel Vettori’s captaincy. The left arm spinner and late order batsman has been under the pump for his lacklustre leadership in Bangladesh.
Besides the challenge of preparing his team for the test match battle, Vettori also has to ensure that his team prepares itself properly for the 2011 World Cup that is also slated to take place in the Indian sub-continent from February
next year.
Squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Brent Arnel, Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Andy McKay, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Watling-c1172,
Kane Williamson.
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