“Henry has earned his spot after consistent performances over the last 12 months”

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Uncapped Canterbury batsman Henry Nicholls is likely to make his ODI debut after New Zealand included him in their squad for the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Nicholls was the second-highest run-scorer in last season’s domestic one-day tournament, but had the best average of 75.66. The 24-year-old has also excelled while playing for New Zealand A as he scored 144 for them against Sri Lanka A in Christchurch in October.

“Henry has earned his spot after consistent performances over the last 12 months and during the New Zealand A campaign he was superb across all forms,” New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said. “He is a player who has got class and he’s someone we want to expose to the international scene sooner rather than later so we’re excited to see how he goes.”

Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult has been rested for the first three ODIs, while seamer Tim Southee will skip the first two ODIs in Christchurch.

“Both Trent and Tim by the time we get to the next Test [against Sri Lanka] would have played five Tests in a row,” Hesson said. “It’s a long season and we need some fresh legs steaming in at the first ODI.”

New Zealand ODI Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry (first two matches), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, George Worker, Tim Southee