New Zealand reshape bowling attack ahead of ODI series vs India

The uncapped fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was named in New Zealand's One-Day International (ODI) squad on Thursday for their upcoming series against India. Since the regular Kiwi side has quite a few players missing due to injuries, their bowling attack will be reshaped along with the likes of Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett.

New Zealand will be without their regular bowlers – Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult and Matt Henry – as they are recovering their respective injuries of a calf strain, broken hand and a broken thumb. It is understood that Boult and Ferguson could return soon as they nearly at the end of the rehab.

The duo of Bennett and Kuggeleijn last played in the ODIs back in 2017 in the tour of Ireland.

India and New Zealand are currently playing the five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The touring side sealed the series by winning the first three games. After the dead rubber games, the two sides will face off in a three-match ODI series, starting from Wednesday.

The upcoming ODI series will be New Zealand's first since their heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final to England last year.

The selectors have decided to retain Henry Nicholls for the top-order, while Tom Latham has recovered from a fractured finger that he suffered in the final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). While Ish Sodhi has been selected in the squad for the first ODI in Hamilton but will be released after that to join New Zealand A ahead of their second four-day match against India A in Christchurch.

"It's always a tremendous occasion taking on India and we've seen from the T20 series they're clearly as strong as ever. Tim Southee has an important job leading our new-look pace attack, which has a huge opportunity against some of the very best batsmen in the world.

It's great to have Tom fit so we can call on his experience behind the stumps and in the middle order," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.

New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi (1st ODI), Tim Southee, and Ross Taylor.