Wicket keeper batsman Tom Blundell has been named in the Black Caps one day squad for the first time to play the Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia.
Tom Blundell. Photo: Photosport
The 14 man unit will compete for the trophy for the 11th time in three one-day fixtures starting in Auckland on January 30.
The series then moves to Napier for game two on February 2, before the third and final encounter in Hamilton on February 5.
With regular one-day keeper Luke Ronchi unavailable due to injury, the selector Gavin Larsen said that in Blundell and Tom Latham the side had options at wicketkeeper.
"It's hard to replace the experience that Luke brings, but it's good Tom Blundell got a small taste of the environment during the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh and this will be another opportunity for him in the squad," said Larsen.
"Having Tom Latham as an option gives the squad flexibility and allows us the chance to play an extra bowling option. He's done it before for us, but we'll look to give Tom an opportunity."
Larsen said that the batting line-up had a balanced look to it.
"We have a number of options to consider in the middle order and having Ross Taylor and Neil Broom in there gives the batting line-up a much more experienced look to it than the squad which toured Australia," he said.
"Australia have shown how dangerous they are, but with the Chappell-Hadlee trophy on the line at home, we know we have an exciting opportunity."
BLACKCAPS squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Tom Blundell
Trent Boult
Neil Broom
Colin de Grandhomme
Lockie Ferguson
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Colin Munro
Jimmy Neesham
Mitchell Santner
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Ronchi, Ben Wheeler, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan and Doug Bracewell were not available due to injury, while Corey Anderson was considered as a batsman only.
