New Zealand name largely unchanged squad for 2015 tour of Australia
New Zealand has stuck to consistency ahead of their tour of Australia in November and December. The tour also consists of the first day and night Test match which will be played at Adelaide. The 15-man squad named on Friday consists of the core players that have helped the Black Caps a run of seven Test matches without defeat, with rounder Jimmy Neesham back in the team.
New Zealand have gone with four frontline bowlers and a solitary spinner in the form of Mark Craig. Corey Anderson has also received a call back to the squad. Head Coach Mike Hesson said their success in the last few tours have been due to the inclusion of a No. 6 batsmen rolling his hand over and giving them a few overs in between.
"A lot of our recent success has been based on the value of our No.6 batsman bowling some overs, and we're comfortable continuing in that vein," explained Hesson. "Rather than having an extra fast bowler not playing in Australia, we thought it more prudent for those in contention to remain in New Zealand and be playing domestic cricket."
Extra wicketkeeper because of Watling’s injury: Heeson
Neesham is back in the squad for Neil Wagner, who was part of the squad that toured England in May and June. Wicket-keeper batsman Luke Ronchi who made his debut against England during the Test series has retained his place in the squad as a backup for wicket-keeper BJ Watling.
Heeson said that it was a decision taken with the board to field an extra keeper due to the injury BJ Watling sustained. "This is a tour in which we spend quite a lot of time on the west coast of Australia and, given what happened to BJ's knee in England, it seems wise to have options close at hand," said Hesson.
New Zealand kick start their Aussie tour in Brisbane from November 5, then move on to Perth for the second test and then they play the first day-night Test in Adelaide from November 27.
New Zealand Test squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
New Zealand Bank on Experience to Beat Australia in Test Series: Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, T... http://t.co/xMiu3PfStD
— Deepak Rewachand I (@full_talktime) September 11, 2015
.@BLACKCAPS name Test squad for tour of Australia: http://t.co/vs8EZ7owpJ #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/r4hxS7EW2F
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) September 10, 2015