Kiwis rest senior pacemen for three ODIs

New Zealand

New Zealand's coaches have decided to rest fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult for the first few ODIs against Sri Lanka, given their work load this year in Tests and other formats.

Boult will miss the first three matches, while Southee will sit out the first two. Matt Henry will be in the squad for the first two games in Southee's place.

Coach Mike Hesson said of resting Boult: "He will have played five Tests in a row [including the next one in Hamilton]. It's a long season and we need some fresh legs steaming in come the first ODI at Hagley."

The Kiwis also named one uncapped player in batsman Henry Nicholls. He averages 44 in domestic cricket as a middle order batsman, and is in the squad as Grant Elliott, James Neesham, and Corey Anderson are injured.

Hesson said: "Henry has earned his spot through consistent performances over the last 12 months. Through the A campaign he was exceptional, certainly an outstanding player in all forms of the game.

"He's a player we see has class and a player who we want to expose to the international scene sooner rather than later."

Squad: Brendon McCullum (c), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry (first two ODIs), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, George Worker. Tim Southee will join the squad for the third ODI.

latest-news New Zealand

Latest