New Zealand have named Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne in their Champions Trophy squad.
The trio have used the IPL to prove their fitness, and all three performed relatively well, with McClenaghan being particularly impressive. The left-arm paceman, who last played an ODI in January 2016, has taken 12 wickets from seven matches for the Mumbai Indians.
Milne, meanwhile, has played twice for the Royal Challengers Bangalore this season, and his blistering pace has yielded three wickets from eight overs at an economy rate of 8.75 per over.
Anderson, playing for the Delhi Daredevils, has continued to take on bowling responsibilities – he has bowled a total of four overs in two innings so far, continuing his short bowling stints with Northern Districts in Plunket Shield matches this season.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said the IPL trio had done everything possible to be selected.
‘It’s been good to see all three back on the park and bowling; together they add a lot of experience to our squad,’ Hesson said. ‘Mitch and Adam have been running in well, and Corey has shown he’ll be capable of providing an option with the ball.
‘We believe it’s an exciting squad; an experienced squad, and one that has the batting power and the bowling variations to prevail in a potentially high-scoring tournament.
‘Having four all-rounders certainly helps with balance, and the return of Mitch and Adam will offer options with the new ball, through the middle of the innings, and in the death overs.’
The Kiwis will play their first match against Australia on June 2, with matches against England and Bangladesh on June 6 and 9 respectively. Prior to the tournament, they are scheduled to play two warm-up matches – against India on May 28 and Sri Lanka on May 30.
NZ SQUAD: Kane Williamson (C), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jamie Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
