Daijiworld Media Network - Auckland
Auckland, Oct 12: Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert will return to New Zealand’s ODI squad for the upcoming five-match series against India, while Rachin Ravindra has recovered from a shoulder injury to feature in the opening three matches.
The series begins on November 4, with New Zealand naming a split squad to balance the white-ball fixtures with the subsequent two-match Test series against India. Several Test specialists will leave the ODI squad after the third match to prepare for the longer format in Wellington.
Only six players — captain Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young and Blair Tickner — have been named for all five ODIs.
Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ravindra and Nathan Smith will feature in the first three matches, beginning at Eden Park in Auckland. They will then depart to prepare for the Test series.
Seven players — Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly and Seifert — will join the squad for the final two ODIs.
Allen and Ferguson last played an ODI in 2023, with Ferguson’s most recent appearance coming in the World Cup semifinal against India in Mumbai. Seifert last featured in an ODI around 18 months ago during New Zealand’s home series against Pakistan.
Ravindra, who was ruled out of New Zealand’s T20I squad because of a shoulder injury, will return for the opening three ODIs. Santner will lead the extended squad, which retains much of the core group that secured a historic 2-1 bilateral ODI series victory over India on Indian soil in January, New Zealand’s first such series win in the country.
Head coach Rob Walter said the series would be important preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“First and foremost this is huge series for us, playing in front of our fans in full stadiums against a formidable Indian side,” Walter said.
“With the ODI World Cup just one year away, it’s important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event.”
He added that bringing in seven players for the final ODIs would help the team assess its depth against a world-class opponent.
Walter also said the Test players would be withdrawn early to allow additional preparation ahead of the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19.
“Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we’re extracting some of that squad early for additional preparation before the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19,” he said.
The Test squad for the two-match series is expected to be announced in early November.
New Zealand ODI squads for India series:
First three ODIs: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner and Will Young.
Fourth and fifth ODIs: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Blair Tickner and Will Young.