Nikita Miller has not played ODI cricket since the 2015 World Cup
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller has been included in the West Indies’ squad for their upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
Miller has not represented the West Indies in the 50-over format since the 2015 World Cup, but his performance in the 2016-17 Regional Super50 caught the selectors’ attention.
The 35-year-old took nine wickets in nine matches at an average of 32 and had an economy rate of just 3.67.
Besides Miller, uncapped pace bowler Ronsford Beaton was also drafted into the 15-man squad.
“Miller has played ODI cricket previously,” Cricket West Indies’ chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said. “Along with his vast experience in our domestic competitions, we felt that he is the right fit to form a part of our ODI bowling unit at this time.
“With the World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, we felt that this is not the right time to introduce an inexperienced slow bowler. This series against New Zealand and our CWI Regional Super50 Cup next year are the only chances we will have for preparation prior to the World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to be played next March in Zimbabwe.
“So these matches will be used to help us identify the players that will play during the qualifiers, and this is why we have also taken the opportunity to introduce Ronsford Beaton. Though, he is more known for his pace and variations in T20I cricket, we believe he can add value within our ODI bowling unit.”
As for the Twenty20 series that follows, the West Indies have brought back Rayad Emrit for his skills with both the bat and ball.
All-rounders Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine were also included in the side, along with wicketkeepers Andre Fletcher and Chadwick Walton.
“The selection of Emrit is to fill one of the all-rounder roles,” Browne said. “He has always been on the fringes of selection and now gets his opportunity. He is a whole-hearted player, and has been a consistent performer in our domestic competitions and so the opportunity has now presented itself for him to join our T20I squad.”
The three-match ODI series begins on December 20 in Whangarei, while the three-match Twenty20 series gets underway nine days later in Nelson.
West Indies’ ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt.), Jason Mohammed, Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams
West Indies’ T20 squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams