Black Caps pick uncapped Woodcock in World Cup squad
January 19th, 2011 - 2:44 pm ICT by ANI
Wellington, Jan 19 (ANI): New Zealand has picked uncapped spinner Luke Woodcock and fast bowler Hamish Bennett in the 15-man World Cup squad named today.
Convener of selectors Mark Greatbatch said 23-year-old Bennett returns from a groin injury after making his ODI debut in Bangladesh last year.
Other points of interest include the return from knee surgery of experienced allrounder Jacob Oram and the lack of a specialist backup wicketkeeper to Brendon McCullum.
Top order batsman Jamie Howe retains his place in the squad from the 5-0 ODI series defeat in India, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Notable omissions are allrounder Grant Elliott; fast bowler Andy McKay who lost out to Bennett; Canterbury batsman Rob Nicol, and gloveman Peter McGlashan who appeared a good bet as McCullum’s backup.
“The squad has an experienced core with James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori all taking part in the 2007 World Cup,” Greatbatch said.
Woodcock, 28, was a standout bowler in the domestic Twenty20 competition and made his international T20 debut against Pakistan in Hamilton, taking 0-20 off four overs.
He continued his excellent form in the domestic one-day competition, with a double of 50 off 49 balls and 3-31 against Northern Districts on Sunday, then today took 4-40 against Canterbury.
“Luke has worked hard for his chance after forging an impressive record with Wellington over a number of years. He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners which could be useful on the subcontinent,” Greatbatch said.
New Zealand World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Luke Woodcock, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett. (ANI)
- Can unpredictable New Zealand spring a surprise? (World Cup Countdown) - Jan 31, 2011
- New Zealand include seven rookies among World Cup probables - Dec 22, 2010
- Black Caps boost batting line-up for Napier ODI - Jan 31, 2011
- James Franklin left out of New Zealand Cricket contract - Jul 01, 2011
- Black Caps move power hitters down the order for ODI against Pak - Jan 21, 2011
- Sri Lanka elect to bat against New Zealand - Mar 18, 2011
- Sri Lanka, New Zealand aim to end group stage on a high (Preview) - Mar 17, 2011
- Australia opt to field against New Zealand - Feb 25, 2011
- New Zealand elect to bat against Pakistan - Mar 08, 2011
- New Zealand to bat against Sri Lanka - Mar 29, 2011
- New Zealand face daunting task against Sri Lanka (Preview) - Mar 28, 2011
- South Africa ahead on form, Kiwis count on Vettori (Preview) - Mar 24, 2011
- Kenya opt to bat against New Zealand - Feb 20, 2011
- Vettori, McCullum, Ryder back in Kiwi squad for Bangladesh tour - Sep 13, 2010
- Vettori wins toss, New Zealand elect to bat - Mar 25, 2011
Tags: andy mckay, black caps, daniel vettori, greatbatch, groin injury, guptill, impressive record, jacob oram, james franklin, kyle mills, man world cup, mcglashan, odi debut, odi series, ross taylor, scott styris, stuff co nz, taylor scott, wicketkeeper, world cup squad