Cricket: Black Caps bat first in Hamilton

Ewen Thompson is making his ODI debut in Hamilton today. Photo / Getty Images

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New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first in the fourth one-day cricket international against India at Seddon Park here today.

New Zealand welcome back captain Daniel Vettori, who missed the 58-run loss in Christchurch on Sunday to witness the birth of his first child.

Central Districts left armer Ewen Thompson makes his ODI debut following injury to Ian Butler and the axing of Tim Southee while Vettori relegates Jeetan Patel to 12th man duties.

Rohit Sharma replaces Sachin Tendulkar, who is resting bruised abdominal muscles, while fast bowler Ishant Sharma makes his first appearance in the ODI series after suffering a shoulder injury during the second Twenty20 match in Wellington on February 27.
He replaces the erratic Munaf Patel, who was removed from the bowling attack in Christchurch after firing two waist height full tosses at Kyle Mills.

India lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Napier and Christchurch.

The second match in Wellington was washed out - the final game is in Auckland on Saturday.

New Zealand
Daniel Vettori (captain), Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Jacob Oram, Peter McGlashan, Ewen Thompson, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel (12th man).

India
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvrav Singh, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Dinesh Karthik (12th man).

- NZPA