Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase yesterday named 15 players for matches against Australian state teams and a five-match series against an Australian selection in Canberra.
Kohlhase said the trip was all about development for the future with a mix of experienced players and those new to senior internationalsoftball selected.
"All those players selected today and some others on the fringes are part of the long term planning and building depth for 2009," he said. "I have always indicated that I wanted to have close to 30 or 35 players vying for the 17 spots in the 2009 world champs team."
Canterbury outfielder Daniel Milne will captain the team and he will be joined in the outfield by Todd Grego, Corey Matakatea and Fabian Makea. All have played for the Black Sox. Stephen Ratu, of Wellington, has been named vice-captain.
The team will fly to Canberra on November 29 and start playing in a Skins tournament the following day.
Pitchers: Derrek Coleman (Auckland), Tane Richardson (Wellington), Craig Gibson (Wellington).
Catchers: Stephen Ratu, vice captain, (Wellington), Jonathan Munden (Auckland).
Infielders: Bobby King (Auckland), Tyson Byrne (Hutt Valley), Mike Sands (Canterbury), Michael Cameron (Auckland), David Butler (Hutt Valley).
Outfielders: Todd Grego (Canterbury), Daniel Milne, captain, (Canterbury), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Corey Matakatea (Wellington), Bernard Hale (Auckland).
