Cricket: Form brings How back for India ODI series

Jamie How. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Jamie How will make his return to international cricket after being included in the 15-strong New Zealand squad to face India in their upcoming five-match ODI series.

How, who has performed well for New Zealand A over the winter, replaces BJ Watling from the squad humiliated in Bangladesh on their last ODI assignment, which ended in a 4-0 drubbing.

The only other player axed is Otago top order batsman Aaron Redmond, however two others, Canterbury pair of fast-medium Hamish Bennett and middle order batsman Shanan Stewart, were not considered because ofinjury.

Allrounder Scott Styris is back after recovering from injury, while veteran new ball men Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills, both unwanted on the test leg of the Indian tour, return, as do offspinner Nathan McCullum and batsman Grant Elliott.

"We have kept faith with the bulk of the squad who played in the disappointing tour of Bangladesh and who have performed well in the current test series against India," coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said.

How showed he is in solid form with 85 for Central Districts against Canterbury yesterday.

"He deserves his opportunity after impressing the selectors for some time," said Greatbatch.

"We feel one-day cricket is the format for him to return to international cricket."

How has not played an ODI for New Zealand since early last year against the West Indies.

The series begins on November 28 at Guwahati followed by matches at Jaipur on December 1, Vadodara on December 4, Bangalore on December 7 and Chennai on December 10.

THE SQUAD

Dan Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee, Andy McKay.

- NZPA