Jimmy Neesham and Doug Bracewell are back in the New Zealand cricket team.
Black Caps allrounder Jimmy Neesham. Photo: Photosport
Rarely sighted for the Black Caps in recent times, both all-rounders were named in the squad announced on Thursday for the upcoming three-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka.
Also back is opening batsman Martin Guptill, who missed the recent tour to the UAE with a calf injury, while Northern Districts' Tim Seifert is set for his ODI debut as the lone wicketkeeper in the 13-man group.
Seifert, who has played seven T20 internationals, gets his chance with incumbent gloveman Tom Latham not included, while all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme had been "rested following an extensive workload over the past 12 months".
Neesham hasn't played international cricket for almost 18 months, while Bracewell last played for the Black Caps in January this year .
New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said both had earned their recalls as the selection panel endeavoured to give opportunities to a wider group of players.
"With the World Cup now on our radar there is a need to look at different players over the home summer.
"We want to win the one-day series against Sri Lanka, and we want to gain as much new information as possible while doing so.
"Doug and Jimmy have performed well on the domestic scene and showed during the recent New Zealand A series against India A that they're ready for international cricket."
"Tim's also been rewarded for his strong New Zealand A form and we've been impressed by the development of his all-round game."
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is the sole specialist slow bowler named in the squad, with no place for Central Districts left-arm off-spinner Ajaz Patel, who starred in the test series victory in the UAE and was also part of the ODI group.
Larsen said Mitchell Santner's return from knee surgery was tracking well and they believed he would be back in selection reckoning in the New Year.
"Mitchell made a promising return in the Burger King Super Smash over the weekend and we'll continue to monitor his progress closely."
Fast bowler Adam Milne, all-rounder Corey Anderson and leg-spinner Todd Astle were not considered because of injury.
New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
