Cricket: Fringe players get chance for Black Caps

Seth Rance celebrates a wicket for CD.

Fringe New Zealand ODI contenders have their chance; the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy is full of players either returning to the side or getting a peek at national honours.

The bottom line, however, is that while it is a good opportunity to test the depth of New Zealand players, there are 10 players tied up in the Indian Premier League, so while full caps will be awarded, it is nothing like a full-strength New Zealand combination for a couple of games against both hosts Ireland and Bangladesh.

Some of the picks are intriguing; some are based on merit for strong domestic seasons.

Then there's a chance for others to re-state their claims, like wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi, who seems likely to have the gloves for the Champions Trophy ahead of new captain Tom Latham.

Ronchi might even get another chance at the top of the order, although that wasn't a success when it was tried four years ago, 47 runs in six innings.Latham gets the leadership gig while Kane Williamson is with the Sunrisers Hyderabad - and doubtless hoping for more game time than he got last year - and well done pats should go to experienced seamer Hamish Bennett - the last of whose 14 ODIs was three years ago - and uncapped, but well-regarded Central Districts seamer Seth Rance.

Rance's provincial team mate George Worker couldn't break back into the one-day squad this summer but is right on the cusp. Strong form in Ireland could have him in the Champions Trophy squad.

National selector Gavin Larsen made a fair point in naming the squad today, describing it as an "exciting" squad to pick.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to give new players a taste of international cricket as well as reward guys who have pushed their way back into contention."

These squads are fun to pick, looking to build depth and see how players perform when asked to step up a rung.

The distinctly promising Scott Kuggeleijn can develop his game to the next level while at the other end, there's a chance for test regular Neil Wagner to show there is another string to his game. He's uncapped at ODI level and it seems odd with his particular skills he hasn't been given an opportunity to shake a game up.

No player excited more chat during the second half of the international summer than Colin Munro. His Plunket Shield form - 685 runs in six matches at 85.62, with four centuries - was outstanding. Can he do enough to reinforce a strong case? His first ball wild swing and miss to be bowled in a T20 against South Africa at the start of their tour did his ambitions no good. His last four T20 innings are 0, 101 (off 54 balls), 0 and 0.

IPL players will join the squad on a case-by-case basis, that is, when they're no longer required by their franchise they will be released. This means there may actually be few chances for several in the squad. In a sense it's a Clayton's squad with so many players unavailable, at least in the early stages. Still, gems are there to be found.