Christchurch: All-rounder Jimmy Neesham was dropped Monday from New Zealand’s nine-member ‘core’ team for next month’s limited overs series against India for which six players will be added after the country’s A squad complete their tour of the sub-continental nation.
The other notable omission from the squad was batsman Neil Broom. Both Neesham and Broome failed to perform during New Zealand’s last ODI tournament – the Champions Trophy in June.
“The nine we’ve picked have made up the core of our ODI team for a while and all of them have experience playing in India,” said coach Mike Hesson.
“With a number of our top guys already playing in India, it’s helpful to be able to select the squad in two parts. With six spots left, there’s an obvious incentive for the players in New Zealand A to perform and put their best foot forward as they tour India.
New Zealand will play three ODIs, starting with the opening match in Mumbai, October 22. It will be followed by Three Twenty20s.
Talking about the omission of Neesham and Broom, Hesson said the duo might have missed out but they still have the opportunity to make a comeback during the home summer.
The 27-year-old Neesham has played 41 ODIs and has 811 runs and 34 wickets to his credit. “Jimmy needs go back and really dominate domestic cricket with both bat and ball. We know Jimmy is a talented player, but we’ve spoken with him around improving the consistency in all areas of his game,” Hesson pointed out.
The New Zealand team will depart October 12 for India.
Nine-man squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee and Ross Taylor.
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