Sodhi in mix for one-day decider

Almost a year to the day since his breakout performance against Australia, Ish Sodhi has been whistled up to do a similar job and help return the Chappell-hadlee Trophy to New Zealand.

The gifted legspinner will join the Black Caps in Hamilton to prepare for tomorrow’s one-day cricket international series finale, where the winner claims the silverware after the washout debacle in Napier left the hosts 1-0 up against the holders.

Sodhi comes in for reserve wicketkeeper Tom Blundell who returns to Wellington after Tom Latham’s success with the gloves, while opener Martin Guptill (hamstring) is rated 50-50 as Dean Brownlie remains as cover still waiting for his first ODI in 25 months.

Selector Gavin Larsen said Sodhi was ‘‘a very strong option’’ to join Mitchell Santner in a rare two-pronged spin attack on home soil, as long as captain Kane Williamson and coach Mike Hesson assess the Seddon Park pitch as spin-friendly.

It certainly was a year ago when Sodhi (2-31) trapped thenskipper Steve Smith lbw then removed Glenn Maxwell for a second ball duck to turn the match and help skittle Australia for 191 and win the series 2-1.

‘‘That was always part of the broader plan. We’ve seen the pitch take turn at Seddon Park in the past and Ish is bowling really well for ND in 50-over cricket and we saw what he did for Adelaide in the Big Bash too. He’s on top of his game and great to have him back in the fold,’’ Larsen said.

Sodhi hasn’t played an ODI since three expensive spells in India in October, but has since bowled the house down in white ball cricket. He was overlooked for the Australia and Bangladesh ODIS but played two Twenty20 internationals taking a combined 5-58 in Mount Maunganui.

Then came his starring role for Adelaide Strikers, taking nine wickets in three matches headlined by a stunning 6-11 against Sydney Thunder. He followed that with an intriguing comment that his Adelaide stint ‘‘rejuvenated my love for the game’’ after admitting to feeling the pressure of expectation and dealing with selection setbacks.

A confident Sodhi is a major weapon for New Zealand with his bag of tricks spearheaded by a lethal googly.

‘‘He [Sodhi] remains a massive part of our plans, it’s just very hard in New Zealand conditions to squeeze two spinners into an XI,’’ Larsen said.

Latham will keep wicket again, with Blundell sent back to play for the Firebirds. Mercifully the forecast for Hamilton tomorrow is fine, with a maximum of 28degc.