Black Caps rest McCullum, Southee for the Africa tour

Black Caps rest McCullum, Southee for the Africa tour: Brendon McCullum and Tim Southee are not available for selection as they are rested for New Zealand’s limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Ish Sodhi has been included for the Zimbabwe leg, while Doug Bracewell will replace Sodhi for the South Africa. Mike Hesson New Zealand’s coach and selector was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo saying, “We think Ish will be useful on pitches which tend to be slow and take turn, and against a Zimbabwe team stacked with right-handers”, said Mike Hesson,

Adam Milne and James Neesham have made comebacks after long injury sufferings in the 15-man squad to be led by Kane Williamson, with Colin Munro getting a call back as well.

Hesson further said that, “We think Ish will be useful on pitches which tend to be slow and take turn, and against a Zimbabwe team stacked with right-handers. But we’re unlikely to require a third spinner in South Africa, which is why we’ve opted for another seamer in Doug.”

Sodhi has featured in 11 Tests and two T20Is but is yet to play an ODI, while the last of Bracewell’s seven ODIs came in June 2013. Milne had been out with an heel injury since the World Cup quarterfinal against West Indies, and Neesham has been unavailable for selection in international cricket since the Basin Reserve Test against Sri Lanka in January this year.

Corey Anderson and Trent Boult were not available after pulling out during the England tour with stress-related back problems. Hesson said that while the absence of several front-line players meant opportunities for the others, it would not reduce the sense of expectation around the squad. “There are chances there for batsmen such as Tom and Colin, for Ish and for a handful of bowlers. And, not least, it’s another good opportunity for Kane Williamson to continue upskilling in terms of leadership.”

“This is a team which has built up an impressive record on the international circuit in recent times and the expectation is that we continue to perform, regardless of who might be missing.

“We were also without some key players on last summer’s away series against Pakistan, and still managed to win 3-2 thanks to other players stepping up.

“Our focus is on continuing to produce strong team performances, rather than be distracted by the presence or absence of specific individuals.”

New Zealand play three ODIs and a T20I in Zimbabwe starting August 2 before travelling to South Africa for two T20Is and three ODIs. The majority of the squad will assemble at a training camp in Potchefstroom before heading to Harare.

New Zealand Squad for Africa tour:

Kane Williamson (Captain), Doug Bracewell (Only for South Africa ), Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi (Only for Zimbabwe), Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler. 

Itinerary of New Zealand’s tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa:

August 2 v Zimbabwe, Harare, 1st ODI

August 4 v Zimbabwe, Harare, 2nd ODI

August 7 v Zimbabwe, Harare, 3rd ODI

August 9 v Zimbabwe, Harare, Twenty20

August 14 v South Africa, Durban, 1st Twenty200

August 16 v South Africa, Centurion, 2nd Twenty20

August 19 v South Africa, Centurion, 1st ODI

August 23 v South Africa, Potchefstroom, 2nd ODI

August 26 v South Africa, Durban, 3rd ODI