Cricket: Vettori back for T20 World Cup

Daniel Vettori has been named in a bulging 30-man New Zealand squad to prepare for this year's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Photo / Getty Images.

Daniel Vettori found the lure of playing in another World Cup too tempting, and it became official today when he was named in a bulging 30-man New Zealand squad to prepare for this year's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The former New Zealand captain retired last year from limited-overs cricket in an effort to prolong his test career, but last month announced he was keen to play in Sri Lanka in September and October.

The 33-year-old was once ranked the world's No 1 ranked bowler in Twenty20 cricket and has played 28 T20 internationals. He has also played in the Indian Premier League, Australia's Big Bash and the domestic HRV Cup and his quality and experience means he is a certain selection for the squad which will be reduced to 15 by August 18.

George Worker and Anaru Kitchen are newcomers in the 30-man squad and Neil Wagner, who is with the New Zealand team for the upcoming two-test series against the West Indies after recently qualifying for his adopted country, also features.

Former New Zealand batsman Mathew Sinclair is the most notable absentee.

"This preliminary squad of 30 represents the best Twenty20 players in New Zealand," national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said. "It's a well-balanced squad with a number of proven performers, giving us plenty of options ahead of final squad selection.

"With the exception of George Worker and Anaru Kitchen, who have both shown promise at domestic level, each member has international experience.

"From this large group we believe we can select a talented Twenty20 squad that will make a strong claim in Sri Lanka."

New Zealand Twenty20 preliminary squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September and October: Ross Taylor (c - Central Districts), Michael Bates (Auckland), Trent Boult (Northern Districts), Doug Bracewell (Central Districts), Broom (Otago), Dean Brownlie (Canterbury), Colin de Grandhomme (Auckland), Andrew Ellis (Canterbury), Daniel Flynn (Northern Districts), James Franklin (Wellington), Martin Guptill (Auckland), Roneel Hira (Auckland), Anaru Kitchen (Auckland), Tom Latham (Canterbury), Brendon McCullum (Otago), Nathan McCullum (Otago), Peter McGlashan (Northern Districts), Andy McKay (Wellington), Kyle Mills (Auckland), Adam Milne (Central Districts), Tarun Nethula (Central Districts), Rob Nicol (Canterbury), Jacob Oram (Central Districts), Tim Southee (Northern Districts), Daniel Vettori (Northern Districts), Neil Wagner (Otago), BJ Watling (Northern Districts), Kane Williamson (Northern Districts), Luke Woodcock (Wellington), George Worker (Canterbury).