New Zealand name Tamil Nadu-born cricketer in their squad for ODI series against Bangladesh

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Zealand have announced a 13-member squad for their upcoming three-match home ODI series against Bangladesh starting December 17 in Dunedin. Three uncapped players have been named in the squad.

Allrounder Josh Clarkson, pacer Will O'Rourke and Indian-origin leg-spinner Adi Ashok have got ODI call-ups as seniors Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, and Devon Conway have been rested for the series.

Adi Ashok (Adithya Ashok) is a 21-year-old talented spinner who was born in Vellore Tamil Nadu. He made his T20I debut against the UAE in August this year. Ashok will come in the squad after Ish Sodhi leaves for a planned break following the first ODI. He has picked 26 wickets in 20 List A matches.

"Michael Bracewell (Achilles), Matt Henry (hamstring), Lockie Ferguson (Achilles), James Neesham (ankle), Ben Lister (hamstring) and Henry Shipley (back) were not considered for selection due to injury, while Trent Boult made himself unavailable," New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.

Tim Latham will once again lead in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson. World Cup 2023 hero Rachin Ravindra, opener Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Will Young and Adam Milne have also found place in the squad.

"The volume and intensity of the cricket over the winter this year means we need to strike a balance with workloads for players, particularly those that play multiple formats," New Zealand selector Sam Wells said.

"That need for balance also creates opportunities and it's great to be able to give some players their first call-ups. Josh is someone who, while still only young, has played over 150 matches for the Stags, developing his skills with bat and ball to become a consistent contributor.

"Adi and Will are both still fresh to domestic cricket but have been impressive in their early efforts and stepped up well this year in the New Zealand A matches against Australia A. Both offer valuable skillsets, Adi with impressive control as a young legspinner, and Will with natural bounce and variation as a tall pace bowler," he added.

The second and third ODI will be played on December 20 and 23 respectively. The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series starting Wednesday 27.

New Zealand squad for ODI series vs Bangladesh: Tom Latham (capt), Adi Ashok (games 2 & 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi (game 1), Will Young