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Cricket

New Zealand opt for debutants ahead of England series

30/01/2008

New Zealand have announced their squads for the one-day international and Tewnty20 series against England next month.

The Blackcaps have selected uncapped duo Jesse Ryder and Tim Southee for the two Twenty20 matches against the tourists in Auckland on February 5th and Christchurch on February 7th.

Explosive batsman Ryder, 23, will continue with the one-day squad for the five-match series that follows later in the month,

But 19-year-old Southee, who is a promising young bowler, will link up with the youth squad for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup.

New Zealand will be without fast bowler Shane Bond for the series, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to sanction his central contract after he also signed an agreement to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Therefore the selectors have opted to recall paceman Paul Hitchcock to fill the breach.

"We have included Jesse Ryder and Tim Southee in a Blackcaps squad for the first time and recalled Paul Hitchcock," said New Zealand Cricket selection manager Sir Richard Hadlee.

"Jesse has the potential to provide an explosive start alongside Brendon McCullum at the top of the innings in both forms of the game.

"Tim will join the squad for the Twenty20 leg only. He is an impressive young bowler and the Twenty20 internationals present an ideal opportunity for him to step into the senior fold."

Sir Richard added that Hitchcock's experience would be important to the hosts as they look to gain revenge for defeat in the last triangular Commonwealth Bank Series involving England and New Zealand last year.

"Paul Hitchcock's style is well suited to New Zealand conditions and venues," Sir Richard concluded.

"He also gives greater depth to the batting order and a versatile range of bowling skills."

The first of the ODI matches takes place at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on February 9th.

Full New Zealand Twenty20 squad:
Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum (vice-captain/wicketkeeper), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris. Jacob Oram, Peter Fulton, Kyle Mills, Paul Hitchcock, Chris Martin, Tim Southee.

Full New Zealand ODI squad:
Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum (vice-captain/ wicketkeeper), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Paul Hitchcock, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel.