New Zealand announce 15-man World Cup
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced their World Cup squad late Tuesday. There were a few surprises in the 15-man squad, which included uncapped all-rounder Luke Woodcock.
Along with Woodcock, top order batsman Jamie How was also named in the squad for the World Cup that is scheduled to begin in the sub-continent from 19 February. Jacob Oram also makes a return in the squad.
Woodcock made his international debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the recently concluded Twenty20 series. He was included in the second Twenty20 but did not get a chance to make an impact with the bat. He did however, bowl four overs, but failed to claim any wicket
and gave away 20 runs.
The 28-year-old spinner was rewarded for his persistent form in New Zealand’s domestic one-day competition for his state team Wellington. He is averaging 20.0 with his slow left-arm orthodox bowling and 26.0 with the bat. He is yet to play a one-day international
(ODI) and is the only unfamiliar name in the squad, which includes six players who featured in the 2007 World Cup in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
The Convenor of Selectors, Mark Greatbatch said that Woodcock had potential, especially with his ability to spin the ball.
“http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 over a number of years,” Greatbatch conceded.
The head selector praised the debutante’s calm temperament, and said that he would gel well with the Black Caps other two spinners, Captain Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.
“He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the sub-continent,” Greatbatch said.
The tenth Cricket World Cup will be jointly hosted by India, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, and the region is known to produce spin-friendly decks. Greatbatch floated the idea of using three spinners in the sub-continent to improve the Black Caps horrific recent
form in ODIs.
All-rounder Jacob Oram returned to the squad after battling to recover from the knee surgery he had in September. Oram will bolster the Kiwis bowling lineup after he opted for the surgery with the sole aim of being fit for the World Cup. The medium pacer’s
international career has been plagued by injuries with his recurring patella-tendon problem a constant worry for the Black Caps.
Another player who makes a return from injury is Hamish Bennett, who suffered a groin strain during his Test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canterbury-c775 bowler will add pace to an attack packed with steady bowlers.
The inclusion of Jamie How raised a few eyebrows. He was brought back into the international cricket scene in late 2010 and managed to average just 10 against India. He came into the squad after a gap of two years, and will act as a stand-in wicketkeeper
to Brendon McCullum, who is suffering from a recurring back injury.
Even though How is not known to be a keeper in any form of cricket, Greatbatch expressed confidence in his attributes. He said, “He has been working on keeping in the last week or so, he’s a good athlete.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s coaching staff got a real boost when former South African fast-bowler, Allan Donald joined them as a bowling consultant.
Squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), James Franklin, Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Jamie How, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Jacob Oram, Kyle http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, Luke Woodcock, Kane Williamson.
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