World Cup backups revealed
Tom Latham is one of five members of the Black Caps’ Cricket World Cup squad set to play an Australian XI as part of their preparations next month.
He will captain the side and be joined by Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham and Tom Blundell for three one-day matches in Brisbane.
The rest of the squad named yesterday offers a glimpse at who might be next in line should any of the first-choice 15 be injured at the World Cup.
Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell and George Worker played ODIs for the Black Caps last summer, but failed to make the final cut for the tournament in England and Wales, with Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner featuring in Twenty20 internationals.
Hamish Bennett, Hamish Rutherford and Will Young – the only player in the squad with no international experience – round out the group. The three matches will be played on May 5, 7 and 9.
Selector Gavin Larsen said the games would provide a valuable opportunity for the squad.
‘‘It’s an exciting challenge ahead of this group who I know will relish the chance to take on the Australians at home.
‘‘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.
‘‘Every player in the squad, apart from Will Young, has played for the Black Caps and we’re backing them to give a good account of themselves.’’
Tim Seifert, Adam Milne and Corey Anderson were not considered due to injury, while Ross Taylor has been allowed to play domestic one-day cricket in England instead.
Nine of the World Cup squad – Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee – are playing in the Indian Premier League, which doesn’t end until mid-May.