Martin Guptill and Jeetan Patel return as Kiwis bolster squad ahead of fourth ODI
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After New Zealand’s loss in the third ODI in Wellington, Martin Guptill and Jeetan Patel have returned to the squad in a bid to bolster the side ahead of the fourth ODI at Hamilton. The Kiwis trail their Proteas counterparts 2 to 1 having won the second encounter, but will be hoping for a series win. Mike Hesson, the coach of the New Zealand side said that it would indeed be a challenge for someone like Guptill to make a comeback.
“He’s been batting all the way through, it was more about strength in the hamstring when running at top speed,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said. “Sure, you haven’t played in the middle so it will be challenging but he’s a world-class player and pleased to have him back.”
“We talked at the start of the series about giving both keepers an opportunity. Tom has had the first three, so Luke is likely to have an opportunity there,” Hesson said. “We are delighted to have Martin back and that allows us to do that a lot easier.
Hesson also justified the dropping of young Tom Bruce who certainly did not have the greatest of times in the series. “I don’t think anything is more important than anything else, the ODI series is huge for us,” Hesson mentioned while speaking about how Tests and ODIs are both of top priority to their side. “Tom has struggled the last little while, he came off a great series in India, and has come home and hasn’t quite reached those heights yet.”
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Hesson also said that it was important to extend the spin bowling options apart from Kane Williamson. “With Kane bowling, depending on conditions, he’s very much a sixth option and Hamilton is probably those conditions,” Hesson said. “Whether we go with the two all-rounders, or slot Luke in a little higher we have options.”
New Zealand Squad for the fourth ODI: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Dean Brownlie, Ross Taylor, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Luke Ronchi (wk), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
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