ICC World Cup Cup 2019: New Zealand Become First Team to Announce 15 Member Squad

New Zealand became the first team to announce their 15 member squad on Wednesday for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup slated to be played in England and Wale from 30^th May. The Kiwis have included a surprise package in the team in the form of Tom Blundell. He is a rookie and is yet to play an ODI match for New Zealand.

The 28-year-old has played a couple of Tests and 3 T20I’s for the Kiwis. He scored a sensational century on his Test debut and is expected to be the back-up wicket-keeper for Tom Latham. Blundell last appeared for New Zealand in February last year. His previous Test appearance was way back in 2017 and his 3 T20I assignments came last year. Meanwhile, he has wasn’t part of the domestic one-tournament of New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Blundell meant that Tim Seifert had to make way. He was the first choice wicket-keeper for the T20I this season. Seifert had earlier made his ODI debut two months ago against the Sri Lankans. He looked in great touch during his limited outing for New Zealand and returned with knocks of 84 and 43 against the Men in Blue in the T20I’s. He broke his finger after the conclusion of the season.

Seifert was expected to become fully fit before the start of the 2019 World Cup. However, due to his injury, there were question marks that how would he perform behind the stumps. Hence the precautionary measure was taken and now Blundell will travel with the team for the quadrennial event.

While New Zealand head coach Gary Stead stated that he would rather select a good specialist back-up who can do the job in the absence of Tom Latham. “As with any squad named for a major tournament, there’s had to be some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players,”  Gary Stead said.

“The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive World Cup. As a one-day unit we’ve been pretty consistent over the past few years and possess a very experienced group of core players, proven at the top level,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Black Caps also decided to go with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi ahead of another leggie Todd Astle. Sodhi eventually made the New Zealand squad after bagging 24 wickets in his 3 previous domestic matches.