Mitchell McClenaghan, Corey Anderson and Adam Milne have all got call-ups to the New Zealand squad for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, to be played in England and Wales in June.
All three are currently a part of the Indian Premier League, and the match fitness they have showcased for their respective franchises helped them make the grade, said Mike Hesson, the coach, and Gavin Larsen, the chief selector, when making the squad list public on Monday (April 24).
McClenaghan has been an important part of the Mumbai Indians bowling attack for the past few years, and has picked up 12 wickets in seven matches so far this season. Adam Milne has also proved his worth with three wickets for Royal Challengers Bangalore from the two games he has had so far. Anderson, of Delhi Daredevils, has featured in three matches, scoring 41 runs and picking up a wicket against Kings XI Punjab.
Persistent injuries had kept both Milne and McClenaghan out of the international circuit since New Zealand's seven-wicket loss against England in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 semi-final in March last year. Anderson has also had a rough time, and has been used in the national team as a specialist batsman in recent months since returning home from the 2015 tour of England with a back injury.
“It’s been good to see all three back on the park and bowling,” said Hesson. “Together, they add a lot of experience to our squad. Mitch and Adam have been running in well, and Corey has shown he’ll be capable of providing an option with the ball.”
With Anderson back in the mix, Colin Munro, the attacking batsman, missed out alongside Dean Brownlie and Ish Sodhi, who were part of squad for the five-match series against South Africa in February.
Tom Latham has been included in the squad as a backup option for Luke Ronchi, the regular wicket-keeper in the side, while Jeetan Patel, the off-spinner, and Colin de Grandhomme, the all-rounder who impressed with figures of 3 for 4 for Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore on the eve of the squad announcement, have been retained.
“We believe it’s an exciting squad; an experienced squad, and one that has the batting power and the bowling variations to prevail in a potentially high-scoring tournament,” pointed out Hesson. “Having four allrounders (including Mitchell Santner) certainly helps with balance, and the return of Mitch and Adam will offer options with the new ball, through the middle of the innings, and in the death overs.”
New Zealand will play an ODI tri-series in Ireland, with Bangladesh as the third team, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and Hesson confirmed that a few of the players from that squad were likely to remain in England as cover till the end of the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Kane Williamson-led side will play warm-up matches against India (May 28 at The Oval) and Sri Lanka (May 30 at Edgbaston) before taking on Australia in its opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on June 2.
Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
New Zealand face Bangladesh in Cardiff on Friday 9 June with tickets still available HERE.