Cricket: Southee, Butler out of Black Caps

Tim Southee has been spared further punishment from India's rampant batting line-up and new father Daniel Vettori makes a welcome return as New Zealand strives to prevent a first one-day cricket series loss on home ground since 2005.

Southee has been understandably relieved after recording the most expensive bowling analysis by a New Zealand ODI bowler in Christchurch last night - 0-105 from 10 - as India coasted to a 58-run victory in game three.

They now have an unbeatable 2-0 lead with matches to follow in Hamilton on Wednesday and Auckland on Saturday.

Vettori was absent when India amassed a record 392 for four but he will be back to steady the New Zealand bowling attack on his home ground of Seddon Park for game four.

The captain was in Auckland alongside wife Mary to witness the birth of their first child - a boy - as the game unfolded.

Vettori's return bolsters a bowling line-up that will be denied the services of impressive seam bowler Ian Butler.

The right armer strained a thigh muscle during his five-over spell at Christchurch and will not be available, though medical staff are hopeful he will be fit for the series finale at Eden Park.

Uncapped Central Districts allrounder Ewen Thompson - who made his international Twenty20 debut against the West Indies in December - joins the squad of 12.

Neil Broom, not required in the first three matches against the Indians, also drops out.

Brendon McCullum, who captained New Zealand in an ODI for the first time last night , will continue to play as a specialist batsman as he gives his bruised right thumb time to heal before the three-test series starts in Hamilton on March 18.

Peter McGlashan will continue in the wicketkeeping role.

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

- NZPA