Tom Latham To Lead New Zealand Against Australia

After a thumping 4-1 defeat at home against India at home not very long ago, New Zealand will be looking to regain some confidence when they take on Australia in the forthcoming unofficial ODI series. The Black Caps will have their task cut out against the reigning world champions who are brimming with confidence after beating India and Pakistan in their previous two outings.

New Zealand, however, will have to do well without their talismanic captain Kane Williamson and several other big names as they will be busy playing the Indian Premier League. In Williamson’s absence,  Tom Latham will lead the team against the Aussies. Both the teams will play three games against each other before heading out to England for the all-important World Cup.  Brisbane will host all the three games. From New Zealand, only five of the selected 15-member squad will be participating in the series, which includes 13 players.

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As many as nine New Zealand players are currently plying their trades in the Indian Premier League. On the other hand, veteran batsman Ross Taylor is busy with his County commitments with Nottinghamshire. Apart from Latham, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry and Tom Blundell will be the other World cup-bound players who will be playing the One-dayers in Australia. The series, nonetheless, will be a chance for both the teams to try out the fringe players.

New Zealand are seeing the players who will play in the upcoming series as back-ups for those in the World cup 15.  The likes of Time Seifert, Corey Anderson and Adam Milne who are injured have not made it to the squad.

Some notable names in the squad who missed out on the World Cup spots are Doug Bracewell and Todd Astle. The games will be played at the Allan Border Fields, on May 5, 7 and 9.

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“It’s an exciting challenge ahead of this group who I know will relish the chance to take on the Australians at home,” Gavin Larsen, New Zealand’s chief selector, said. “The matches will be a stern test and provide quality preparation for those players bound for England and a great opportunity for the rest of the squad to show their wares.”