Cricket: Tom Blundell set to make ODI debut

Tom Blundell. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Wellington wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell looks poised to make his one-day international debut in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against Australia, starting January 30 at Eden Park.

A 14-man squad has been named for the matches in Auckland and Napier with further deliberation ahead of the final game in Hamilton.

Selector Gavin Larsen stressed Blundell was their "frontline" option, with opener Tom Latham also being considered as a way of incorporating an extra batsman or bowler.

Larsen said both he and coach Mike Hesson had talked to Latham about the prospect.

"He was quite excited in his own way. He'll take the gloves in a Ford Trophy game for Canterbury first [on January 28 against Auckland at Rangiora]. We'll monitor that before the team reassembles."

"It's hard to replace the experience that [injured] Luke [Ronchi] brings, but it's good Tom Blundell got a taste of the environment during the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh."

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi could not earn a spot despite outstanding T20 form for New Zealand and the Adelaide Strikers. That culminated in a spell of six wickets for 11 runs against the Sydney Thunder on Wednesday in Australia's Big Bash League.

The nature of the opening two pitches influenced the decision.

"Ish is a stand-up T20 [international] starter and he's delivered over there [in Australia], but Eden Park and McLean Park are historically flat decks, so we don't see a lot of spin bowled.

"At the corresponding match at Eden Park last year, Glenn Maxwell bowled three overs of spin and Mitchell Santner got a couple of tailenders out in the Aussie innings. Mitch takes the primary spin role and the skipper [Kane Williamson] can bowl two or three.

"Ish's a massive part of our future and we want to handle him the right way. He's going back to ND for the Ford Trophy, but he's certainly in our thoughts when it comes to evaluating a second spinner."

Luke Ronchi, Ben Wheeler, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan and Doug Bracewell were not available due to injury. Corey Anderson, who made 94 not out in the final T20 against Bangladesh, was considered as a batsman only.

"We had a number of options to consider in the middle order and Ross and Neil give the batting line-up a more experienced look than the squad which toured Australia," Larsen said.

"Neil's broken finger is fine and he will play for Otago against Northern Districts on Wednesday in Whangarei. He's confident and is already hitting balls, as is Martin Guptill.

"We couldn't squeeze Corey into the middle order and we want him to come back into consideration as an all-rounder. He's started to bowl off a short run, so we're monitoring him."

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.​