Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner Join New Zealand Squad Ahead Of Third ODI Against India
New Zealand have called up leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and pace bowler Blair Tickner for the third and final ODI against India. The two were recently withdrawn from the New Zealand A side that is currently playing against India A, and will not take part in the fourth and final day’s play of the second unofficial Test in Christchurch.
New Zealand have already sealed the three-match series after winning the first two games. In the series-opener, they beat their fancied opponents by four wickets while chasing a mammoth total of 348. In the second game, the hosts beat India by 22 runs after posting 273 for 8 in the allotted 50 overs.
New Zealand have recalled both Sodhi and Tickner ahead of the third game because of the several players in their camp being unwell. They were forced to play Tim Southee in the second ODI even though he was ill, though he eventually ended up having a significant impact in the game and dismissed Virat Kohli.
Apart from Southee (gastro), the others whose fitness is still being monitored are Scott Kuggeleijn (viral), and Mitchell Santner (gastro). All the players are still recovering and are doubtful for the upcoming game. Captain Kane Williamson was also not available for the first two games because of his left-shoulder injury.
Williamson had also missed the last two T20Is of the preceding five-match series. New Zealand were completely out of substitutes in the second ODI and had to ask their fielding coach Luke Ronchi to field when Southee went off the field. Meanwhile, Auckland Aces left-arm pacer Ben Lister will join New Zealand A as a replacement on the fourth day’s play.
New Zealand squad:
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell, James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mark Chapman, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Hamish Bennett, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn
