New Zealand's Ronchi returns for South Africa series
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi has recovered from injury and is back in their limited-overs squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen said.
New Zealand will play South Africa in a Twenty20 match at Auckland before the teams play a five-match one-day international series. The hosts named 14-man squads for the T20 match and the first two ODIs.
"It will be great to have Luke back in the mix," Larsen said. "He's the number one white-ball wicketkeeper in the country and brings considerable experience to the group."
Ronchi's return means wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was dropped, while middle-order batsman Colin Munro was also omitted after scoring three and two against Australia.
"Colin hasn't quite shown the consistency he would like in the middle order and we feel Jimmy (Neesham) is deserved of an opportunity with the bat at six," Larsen added.
Opening batsman Martin Guptill, who missed the last two matches against Australia with an injury, was named in both squads.
T20I squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Wheeler
ODI squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Peter Rutherford)