Diamanti in Black Caps

Central Districts cricketer Brendon Diamanti will fill the vacancy in the New Zealand one-day squad for an upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy which follows in South Africa.

As well, Diamanti will join the tourists for two Twenty20 internationals in Sri Lanka next month.

Diamanti's selection was confirmed today, a day after New Zealand lost the first test to Sri Lanka by 202 runs in Galle. The second test starts in Colombo on Wednesday.

The national selectors had left one position available when naming their tour squads last month.

They have also made one change to the squad for the Champions Trophy, naming Auckland fast bowler Daryl Tuffey in place of Otago offspinner Nathan McCullum.

Coach Andy Moles said Diamanti's addition to the limited overs squads in Sri Lanka provided the side with additional allrounder cover.

"Brendon is a strong lower order striker and has good control as a medium pace bowler. He will provide valuable back-up for the squad."

Diamanti is currently playing in India with the New Zealand A side.

Other New Zealand A players set to join the national side in Colombo for the limited overs matches are Shane Bond, Neil Broom, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan and Kyle Mills.

The tri-series against Sri Lanka and India starts on September 8.

Tuffey is part of the test squad in Sri Lanka, but will not play the limited overs matches there because the selectors preferred to take three spinners into the Twenty20 and one-day series.

"With turning wickets here in Sri Lanka, we're keen to have three spinners on call," Moles said.

"But conditions will be different in South Africa and two spinners will be sufficient there. Daryl's inclusion will give our seam attack additional depth."

- NZPA