Cricket: McCullum, Taylor to miss Sri Lanka tour

Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum are returning early to focus on the West Indies matches. Photo / Christine Cornege

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and senior batsman Ross Taylor are to skip the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka starting on November 10.

The pair are heading home to prepare for the home international summer, which starts with the West Indies tour, including three tests, five ODIs and two T20s, and continues with India in the New Year.

Wellington wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi and experienced seamer Ian Butler are taking their place.

"Ross and Brendon need red ball preparation to be at their best for the summer," New Zealand Cricket's national selection boss Bruce Edgar said.

''Both players are vital to our success and fine tuning their red ball skills before the West Indies series starting in early December is paramount."

Kane Williamson, heir apparent to the captaincy, will lead New Zealand.

The ODIs are in Hambamtota on November 10 and 12, and in Dambulla on November 16, with the two T20 matches on November 19 and 21 in Kandy.

The squad to face Bangladesh is: Kane Williamson ©, Hamish Rutherford, Anton Devcich, Luke Ronchi, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne.