Why did New Zealand split the teams for the ODI series in India? Coach Walter explains
New Zealand has split its squad for the five-match ODI series against India to manage the build-up to the Tests and assess its options ahead of the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, head coach Rob Walter said.
The series begins on November 4 and several Test specialists are set to leave after the first three ODIs to prepare for the two-Test series against India. The first Test will begin at Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19.
Only six players were named for all five ODIs: captain Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young and Blair Tickner. Other players either leave the squad after the third game or join for the last two games.
“Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we are withdrawing part of this squad early for further preparation ahead of the first Test against India at Basin Reserve on November 19,” said Walter.
The changes will also give New Zealand a chance to test the depth of their squad against India, with seven players joining for the final two ODIs.
PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD CUP BEHIND SQUAD CHANGES
With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia less than a year away, New Zealand see the series as an important chance to test their combinations and assess the players ahead of the tournament.
“First of all, it’s a huge series for us, playing in front of our fans in full stadiums against a formidable Indian side,” said Walter.
“With the ODI World Cup just a year away, it’s important for us to see these matches as a valuable build-up to the event as well.”
Walter said the last two games would help New Zealand assess players who are not part of the first-choice squad.
“Bringing seven players for the final ODI allows us to test our depth and see how these players perform against the world class,” he said.
Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Nathan Smith will play the first three ODIs before departing to prepare for the Tests.
Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly and Tim Seifert complete the squad for games four and five.
FINN ALLEN COULD BALL IN THE MIDDLE-ORDER
Allen’s return is one of the main talking points in the New Zealand squad. The team wants to see if the explosive batter can make an impact in the middle order in 50-over cricket.
Allen usually opens the batting in T20 cricket. However, New Zealand are considering using him against spinners and the fifth or sixth bowler during the middle overs.
“We have a different role in mind for Finn in the middle order. So we want to explore that as a possibility, obviously given his ability to influence the game,” Walter said during a virtual media interaction.
“In 50-over-50 cricket, there’s a space in the middle of the game where you can take on the spin or the fifth or sixth bowler. So we’ll explore that with Finn.”
Walter said the idea had been discussed for some time and was not a reaction to the recent trend of high-scoring games.
“We actually want to see what it looks like when someone in the middle order takes over the game,” he said.
“There is a shift in 50-over-50 cricket, especially if the surfaces are good, where 25-over-40 is very important, while there is an extra fielder in the ring.”
Walter added that the idea of moving Allen down the order also came during the last T20 World Cup. The batter is open to change and the India series will give New Zealand a chance to see how he handles the role.
ALLEN, FERGUSON AND SEIFERT RETURN
Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert return to New Zealand’s ODI set-up for the final two matches. Allen and Ferguson last played an ODI in 2023. Ferguson had previously appeared in the World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Seifert last played an ODI during New Zealand’s home series against Pakistan about 18 months ago.
Walter said their return would give New Zealand more options in the line-up. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have the depth we do with 21 players coming into the series,” he said.
“It’s also great to bring the likes of Lockie, Finn and Tim back into the squad one day. They’re all exciting and explosive players in their own right and are proven match-winners.”
“With Finn and Tim in particular, we’ve seen what they can do in the T20 arena and now it’s a great opportunity for them to make their case in the longer format,” he added.
Rachin Ravindra will return for the first three ODIs after recovering from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of New Zealand’s T20I squad.
New Zealand will also be looking to build on their 2-1 ODI series win in India earlier this year. It was their first bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil.
FAST-BOWLING WORKLOAD IS A PRIORITY
New Zealand are also cautious with their fast bowlers as they prepare for a busy international schedule, including a Test series against Australia.
Will O’Rourke is recovering from a lower back injury sustained in England. A calf problem delayed his return to bowling, but Walter said the setback was not a major problem.
“The injury has recovered a bit and we’re quite happy with that, but obviously there’s only a real safe pattern he can get into to be ready for Test match cricket,” Walter said.
“We want to respect that and also respect the injury that he came from, from a lower back perspective.
New Zealand hope O’Rourke will be available for the Test series against Australia.
Ben Sears is recovering from ankle surgery and is expected to be back running in the next one to two weeks. He will have to gradually build up before he returns to bowling.
O’Rourke and Sears, along with Zak Foulkes, who is recovering from a hip flexor injury, were not available for the India ODI series.
WHEN WILL NEW ZEALAND ANNOUNCE THEIR TEST KIT?
New Zealand will face India in a five-match T20I series before the ODIs. A two-Test series will follow, the first in Wellington from 19-23 November and the second in Christchurch from 27 November to 1 December.
The selectors are expected to announce the Test squad in early November.
A split ODI squad will allow New Zealand to give their Test players more time to prepare while considering other options in the final two matches. The series will also give players a chance to bid for a place in the 2027 World Cup squads.
NEW ZEALAND ODI SQUAS FOR INDIA SERIES
FIRST THREE ODIs: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner and Will Young.
FOURTH AND FIFTH ODI: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Blair Tickner and Will Young.
– The end