There are a couple of unfamiliar names in the Black Caps squad named today for the Chappell-Hadlee one day international cricket series against Australia next month.
Central Districts all-rounder Brendon Diamanti and 19 yr-old Trent Boult of Northern Districts have been included in the traveling party, to boostthe bowling resources.
Selection panel head Glenn Turner said Boult had earned selection with a string of good performances in domestic one day competition and with New Zealand A and Under-19 sides.
"It's great to be able to bring a quick left-armer into the squad," Turner said. "Trent has been impressive in his first season in the State Shield, with 13 wickets at an average of 23.84. He's also performed well for New Zealand A and the national Under-19 side and we believe he's ready to step up to the top level."
Boult is currently second in the State Shield MVP rankings. He was one of the top performers for the New Zealand Under-19 side at the 2008 World Cup, with figures including a 7/20 against Malaysia.
Brendon Diamanti comes into the squad as an all-rounder, with Jacob Oram yet to fully recover from injury.
Turner said the selectors see Diamanti as particularly suited to the one-day game. "Brendon has impressed with his big hitting in the middle to lower order," Turner said. "His 28 off nine balls for Central against Canterbury earlier this month was an outstanding match-winning knock.
"He's also an experienced go-to bowler and could be especially valuable in the power plays."
Batsman Peter Fulton returns to the side after strong domestic form, including a knock of 85 not out in helping Canterbury defeat Wellington this week.
Also returning to the side is bowler Iain O'Brien, called into the one-day squad for the first time since last February.
The tour opens with a warm-up game against a Prime Ministers XI at Canberra on 29 January, with the first ODI at Perth on 1 February.
The five-match ODI series runs from February 1 - 13, and is followed by a Twenty20 match between New Zealand and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15.
BLACK CAPS
Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Tayor, Peter Fulton, Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Brendon Diamanti, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien, Trent Boult.
