Henry Nicholls the newest entrant in the New Zealand ODI squad
When the Blackcaps play Sri Lanka on Boxing-Day at the Hagley Oval, in Christchurch, all eyes would be set on Brendon McCullum who greeted the New Zealanders with a magnificent 195 last year at the same venue against the same opponents.
However, one man who might draw some eyelids towards himself on the occasion is Henry Nicholls, a left-handed batsman from Canterbury, who has been picked in the New Zealand squad for the first three matches of the 5-match ODI series against the Lankans, and might just make his debut a day after Christmas.
Averaging 44.09 from 34 List A matches, Sri Lanka would be a familiar opponent for Nicholls who averaged 84.50, scoring 210 runs against their A side, when New Zealand A swept the four-match series in October.
In a significant development related to the squad, fast bowler Trent Boult has been rested, and his new-ball partner Tim Southee is available only from game 3. A revised squad for the remaining two ODIs at the Saxon Oval, Nelson and the Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui, will be named on January 2.
Milne has an opportunity against Lanka: Hesson
New Zealand coach Mark Hesson said that Nicholls deserved a promotion to the senior level considering his performances in the last 12 months as well as in the recently concluded first-class series against Sri Lanka A, where he scored two hundreds and a fifty from two games.
"He was exceptional through the 'A' campaign, certainly the outstanding player in all forms of the game. "He's a class player and a player who we want to expose to the international scene sooner rather than later," said Hesson.
With Boult rested, and Southee to be available only from the third ODI, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell are expected to share the attack for the home side.
Hesson lauded Milne on his terrific recovery from injury that he had suffered playing against Sri Lanka A for the Central Stags.
"He's bowling fast which is good, he's feeling good. We also see his batting developing nicely for us and hopefully he'll get further opportunities there."
Slow bowlers Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi would be the spin options available given that the more experienced Nathan McCullum is an option only for the T20s as he suffers from back injuries.
Grant Elliot, New Zealand’s World Cup hero is still recovering from a wrist injury, and so are Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham, the two dependable all-rounders that New Zealand have.
New Zealand squad: (First three ODIs) Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, George Worker, Luke Ronchi, Doug Bracewell, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry (first two ODIs), Tim Southee (3rd ODI).
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI schedule:
1st ODI, Dec 26 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd ODI, Dec 28 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
3rd ODI, Dec 31, at Saxon Oval, Nelson
4th ODI, Jan 2 at Saxon Oval, Nelson
5th ODI, Jan 5 at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
T20 schedule:
1st T20, Jan 7 at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
2nd T20, Jan 10 at Eden Park, Auckland