Bay of Plenty Indians batsman Bharat Popli has been named in the opening Northern Knights squad for the first Plunket Shield game of the season.
Popli joins fellow Bay of Plenty players Daniel Flynn, Joe Carter, Graeme Aldridge and Tony Goodin in the 12-man squad for the match against the Auckland Aces at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.
A number of Black Caps, including Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Dean Brownlie and Corey Anderson were unavailable.
Northern Knights squad: Daniel Flynn (captain), Anton Devcich, Joe Carter, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Graeme Aldridge, Tony Goodin, James Baker.
