Cricket: Rutherford named in Black Caps, Taylor returns

Ross Taylor returned to action for Central Districts this week. Photo / Getty Images

Otago Volts opening batsman Hamish Rutherford is the only new cap, while former skipper Ross Taylor returns, in the New Zealand Twenty20 and ODI squads for the ANZ International Series against England starting next week.

Rutherford, 23, has been selected in the squad for the three Twenty20 matches along with his Otago Volts teammate Ian Butler who returns to the national side.

Canterbury Wizards allrounder Andrew Ellis returns to both squads after an injury saw him miss the recent tour to South Africa, while is also back after missing the South African series.

Taylor hasn't played any cricket since leading the Black Caps to a test victory against Sri Lanka in November. He decided to take a break from the game when Brendon McCullum was named as his replacement as captain across all forms for New Zealand.

Black Caps head coach Mike Hesson said it was great to have Ellis and Taylor back in the team alongside youngsters like Rutherford.

"Andrew proved his worth with the team last summer while Ross is a world-class batsman who is a key part of this Black Caps side," said Hesson.

"Hamish has shown he is an explosive batsman and we hope he can bring that form to the Black Caps."

Butler, who made his ODI debut against England in 2002, returns to the international scene after having last played for New Zealand in a T20 against Pakistan in 2010.

General Manager National Selection Kim Littlejohn said the selectors were keen to deliver stability in their selections following the South African tour where New Zealand recorded a 2-1 series victory in the ODIs.

"There are a couple of changes that have been forced through injury but essentially we want to be seen to provide continuity from one series to the next."

"We are however looking at developing talented youngsters and finding a new crop of allrounders in our build-up to the Champions Trophy in June and the 2015 Cricket World Cup."

Rutherford is one of those youngsters with Littlejohn saying he had shown good form in the HRV Cup and the New Zealand A v India A series in September last year.

The son of former New Zealand skipper Ken Rutherford, Rutherford scored 300 runs across 11 innings in the HRV Cup this season with a high score of 53.

Elliott, who performed well in the history-making ODI series win in South Africa, replaces Corey Anderson who is unavailable due to a fractured thumb. Tim Southee, not considered for selection as he is still recovering from thumb surgery, will be monitored and assessed throughout the summer.

The ANZ International Series starts on February 9 with the opening Twenty20 match at Auckland's Eden Park.

New Zealand Twenty20 squad:

Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Ian Butler - Otago Volts
Grant Elliott - Wellington Firebirds
Andrew Ellis - Canterbury Wizards
James Franklin - Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces
Roneel Hira - Canterbury Wizards
Mitchell McClenaghan - Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum - Otago Volts
Colin Munro - Auckland Aces
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Ross Taylor - Central Stags

New Zealand ODI squad:

Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Grant Elliott - Wellington Firebirds
Andrew Ellis - Canterbury Wizards
James Franklin - Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces
Mitchell McClenaghan - Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum - Otago Volts
Kyle Mills - Auckland Aces
Colin Munro - Auckland Aces
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights

- nzherald.co.nz