McCullum will represent New Zealand at the World Twenty20
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
New Zealand have decided to include three spinners in their squad for the World Twenty20 in India in March.
Off-spinner Nathan McCullum, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner are all part of the 15-man squad due to the spin-friendly conditions in India.
“With the Indian conditions in mind, the plan has always been to take three front-line spinners and all three bring something different,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said in a statement. “It’s great to have Nathan available again and his experience in the foreign conditions will be invaluable. Both he and Mitch Santner have the ability to bowl in the first six overs, which gives Kane a number of options to work with.”
Batsman Henry Nicholls is also part of the squad, which will be captained by Kane Williamson. However, there was no place in the side for pace bowler Matt Henry or leg-spinner Todd Astle.
“Henry has shown his talent and versatility with the bat this summer and has also been used as a wicketkeeper for New Zealand A,” Hesson said.
New Zealand are in Group 2 of the Super 10 stage of the tournament, along with India, Pakistan, Australia and a qualifying team.
The Black Caps will begin their World Twenty20 campaign against India in Nagpur on March 15.
New Zealand World T20 Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi