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Northern Districts' Trent Boult - Source: Photosport -
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Young Northern Districts medium-fast bowler Trent Boult and Central Districts all-rounder Brendon Diamanti have been called in to the Black Caps squad for the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series against Australia next month.
Selection panel head Glenn Turner said Boult, 18, had earned selection with a string of good performances in domestic one day competition and with New Zealand A and Under-19 sides.
"It's great to be able to bring a quick left-armer into the
squad," Turner said.
"Trent has been impressive in his first season in the State
Shield, with 13 wickets at an average of 23.84. He's also performed
well for New Zealand A and the national Under-19 side and we
believe he's ready to step up to the top level."
Boult is currently second in the State Shield MVP rankings. He was one of the top performers for the New Zealand Under-19 side at the 2008 World Cup, with figures including a 7/20 against Malaysia.
Brendon Diamanti comes into the squad as an all-rounder, with Jacob Oram yet to fully recover from injury.
Turner said the selectors see Diamanti as particularly suited to
the one-day game.
"Brendon has impressed with his big hitting in the middle to lower
order," Turner said.
"His 28 off nine balls for Central against Canterbury earlier this
month was an outstanding match-winning knock.
"He's also an experienced go-to bowler - he has variation with the ball that's especially valuable in the power plays."
Batsman Peter Fulton returns to the side after strong domestic form, including a knock of 85 not out in helping Canterbury defeat Wellington this week. "Peter is likely to be in the middle order where his ability to manoeuvre the ball and hit big will be an asset."
Also returning to the side is bowler Iain O'Brien, called into the one-day squad for the first time since last February. "Iain showed good form in the test series and has carried that into the State Shield - he's done well in successfully adapting to the limited-overs game, bringing in more variation in pace."
Back-up wicketkeeping duties would be covered by Jesse Ryder, who has previously donned the gloves at lower levels and is viewed as adequate in case of an emergency. Another player can be called up within a day if required.
Turner noted that the initial 14 players named could change over the course of the series, which includes five ODIs and a Twenty20 International.
"We're treating this somewhat like a home series - we may look to bring players in and out of the squad as required," Turner said.
The tour opens with a warm-up game against a Prime Ministers XI at Canberra on January 29, with the first ODI at Perth on February 1.
Meanwhile, in other cricket news, Otago Cricket and New Zealand Cricket have agreed to Brendon McCullum being released this weekend to play for the NSW Blues in the final of the Australian domestic Twenty20 competition.
NSW have already qualified for the Champions League to be held in India in October and so McCullum's presence on Saturday will allow him to participate in the Champions League even if his IPL team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, fail to qualify.
Otago Cricket CEO, Ross Dykes, said the move was a positive one for McCullum and for Otago and NZC - it a sensible decision on cricketing grounds.
Black Caps:
Daniel Vettori (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Brendon Diamanti, Grant Elliott, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
Add a Comment:
Post new commentBCs fan said on 2009-01-22 @ 11:21 NZDT:
good to promote new talent (ie Guptill and Broom) but think there are a few too many newbies/too light on bowling options. Grant Elliot? seriously?
whatthe?! said on 2009-01-22 @ 10:57 NZDT:
Who the heck is this guy? We're gonna get plastered by the Aussies!