cricket

Updated: Feb 05, 2019 16:36 IST

New Zealand’s skipper Kane Williamson said the middle-order batsman Colin Munro is expected in the top three slots to take on India in the forthcoming T20I series, beginning on February 6.

Opening batsman Martin Guptill picked up a back injury during fielding practice. He has returned to Auckland for rest and recuperation, making way for seam-bowling allrounder Jimmy Neesham in the squad.

“Martin [Guptill] is ruled out of the series and we have a different squad altogether with some new faces. We want to balance with number of all-rounders which will affect the positions. Munro is expected in the top three,” Williamson told reporters.

India defeated Black Caps 4-1 in the ODI series that concluded on February 3. Having less time to switch over to shortest format, Williamson said it is always a challenge but one needs to make adjustments and set their mindset.

“It is always a challenge whether that is from Test to one-day or T20 or whichever sort of equation. It requires adjustments and mindset whether you have more or less time because it is T20I cricket. As an individual whether it is bowling or batting you need to drown in the depth nice and quick. It is nice to have the experience on the pitch. Ladies will play first so we will try to project in the middle. We are playing after them so it should be a great evening of cricket here,” the skipper said.

With the World Cup around the corner, Williamson pointed out that the T20I series will be another great opportunity to play international cricket against a very strong opposition — India. “I think any time you get the opportunity to have those experiences; they are always very good ones. It is a positive thing that a number of guys are getting opportunity to have those experiences against fantastic Indian side.

“India are competitive and they will be, I am sure, in World Cup as well. All those who are involved no doubt will learn a lot. We just want to try and get the things right in terms of executing our plans. We want to make a step up little bit and hope will build on,” Williamson said.

Squads: New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham, Blair Tickner

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya.