India vs New Zealand: Tom Latham back as New Zealand announce strong squad for India series

cricket

Updated: Jan 17, 2019 08:20 IST

New Zealand have assembled their strongest possible line up for the one-day series against India starting next week in what will be their toughest workout ahead of the World Cup.

Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme, who were rested during the 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka, were named Thursday in a 14-man squad for the first three games of the five-match series which starts next Wednesday.

Captain Kane Williamson and bowling spearhead Trent Boult, who sat out the Twenty20 against Sri Lanka last Friday, are back in the squad as is Mitchell Santner who made the Twenty20 after being sidelined by injury for 10 months.

India and New Zealand are ranked second and third in the world, and coach Gary Stead said the composition of the squad reflected World Cup planning while also giving themselves the best possible chance of winning the series against Virat Kohli’s tourists.

“Our two main priorities have been to select and prepare a squad capable of winning what is shaping as a massive series against India, and gathering as much information as possible ahead of the World Cup,” Stead said.

“Tom and Colin are experienced players in this format and will offer quality in their respective roles.”

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor