Two new caps in Blackcaps squad for Australia

Two new caps in BLACKCAPS squad for ODI series in Australia

Thursday, 22 January 2009

Young Northern Districts medium-fast bowler Trent Boult and Central Districts all-rounder Brendon Diamanti have been called in to the BLACKCAPS squad for the Chappell-Hadlee One Day International Series against Australia next month.

The squad of 14 announced today by New Zealand Cricket is:

Daniel Vettori (Captain)
Trent Boult
Neil Broom
Brendon Diamanti
Grant Elliott
Peter Fulton
Martin Guptill
Brendon McCullum
Kyle Mills
Iain O’Brien
Jeetan Patel
Jesse Ryder
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor

Selection panel head Glenn Turner said Boult, 18, had earned selection with a string of good performances in domestic one day competition and with New Zealand A and Under-19 sides.

“It’s great to be able to bring a quick left-armer into the squad,” Turner said. “Trent has been impressive in his first season in the State Shield, with 13 wickets at an average of 23.84. He’s also performed well for New Zealand A and the national Under-19 side and we believe he’s ready to step up to the top level.”

Boult is currently second in the State Shield MVP rankings. He was one of the top performers for the New Zealand Under-19 side at the 2008 World Cup, with figures including a 7/20 against Malaysia.

Brendon Diamanti comes into the squad as an all-rounder, with Jacob Oram yet to fully recover from injury.

Turner said the selectors see Diamanti as particularly suited to the one-day game. “Brendon has impressed with his big hitting in the middle to lower order,” Turner said. “His 28 off nine balls for Central against Canterbury earlier this month was an outstanding match-winning knock.

“He’s also an experienced go-to bowler – he has variation with the ball that’s especially valuable in the power plays.”

Batsman Peter Fulton returns to the side after strong domestic form, including a knock of 85 not out in helping Canterbury defeat Wellington this week. “Peter is likely to be in the middle order where his ability to manoeuvre the ball and hit big will be an asset.”

Also returning to the side is bowler Iain O’Brien, called into the one-day squad for the first time since last February. “Iain showed good form in the test series and has carried that into the State Shield – he’s done well in successfully adapting to the limited-overs game, bringing in more variation in pace.”

Back-up wicketkeeping duties would be covered by Jesse Ryder, who has previously donned the gloves at lower levels and is viewed as adequate in case of an emergency. Another player can be called up within a day if required.

Turner noted that the initial 14 players named could change over the course of the series, which includes five ODIs and a Twenty20 International.

“We’re treating this somewhat like a home series – we may look to bring players in and out of the squad as required,” Turner said.

The tour opens with a warm-up game against a Prime Ministers XI at Canberra on 29 January, with the first ODI at Perth on 1 February.

ENDS

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