Tim Southee will line up for the Black Caps during their tour of India. Photo / Photosport.nz
Tim Southee will line up for the Black Caps during their tour of India. Photo / Photosport.nz
Northlander Tim Southee is one of nine players selected for the Black Caps ODI tour against India.
Coach Mike Hesson has only selected nine for now with the remaining six to be chosen from the New Zealand A squad currently touring India.
The two sides will square off in threeODIs, the first of which will be in Mumbai on October 22. Three Twenty20s will follow the series, with the squad for this to be announced when the remainder of the ODI team is named.
Hesson confirmed the remaining six players would come from the New Zealand A side currently touring India.
"The nine we've picked have made up the core of our ODI team for a while and all of them have experience playing in India," said Hesson.
"With a number of our top guys already playing in India, it's helpful to be able to select the squad in two parts. With six spots left, there's an obvious incentive for the players in New Zealand A to perform and put their best foot forward."
Hesson said that while Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom had missed out on this squad, they still had the opportunity to push their way back into the side for the home summer.
"It will be disappointing for James and Neil, but we've talked through the areas that we'd like to see them work on and if we see development, they'll certainly both come into the reckoning come the home summer.
"Neil was really effective for us batting at three or four last season, but we have quality, established batsmen in those positions and we'd like to see Neil develop his game further to show he has the skills to bat at five.
"Jimmy needs go back and really dominate domestic cricket with both bat and ball. We know Jimmy is a talented player, but we've spoken with him around improving the consistency in all areas of his game."
The team depart for India on 12 October.
Black Caps initial squad: Kane Williamson (c) - Northern Districts Trent Boult - Northern Districts Colin de Grandhomme - Auckland Martin Guptill - Auckland Tom Latham - Canterbury Adam Milne - Central Districts Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts Tim Southee - Northern Districts Ross Taylor - Central Districts
