Bennett targets NZ recall with move to Wellington

New Zealand fast bowler Hamish Bennett has said that the opportunity to lead an attack in all three formats influenced his move from Canterbury to Wellington. The bowler, who represented Canterbury for 10 years, admitted the decision was difficult but fit in with his aspirations of an international comeback.

"That's the opportunity Wellington were offering, being able to lead the attack in all three forms," he told stuff.co.nz. "If you're doing that for an association and doing it well, if there is an injury or form drops in the Black Caps, they look around at who's leading the attacks and you hope your name is at the top of the pile."

Bennett was approached by Cricket Wellington in early May and said it was the first time he considered leaving Canterbury.

"I don't want to look back when I'm 40 and if I didn't take the opportunity which is on my plate now, I would have regretted it. It wasn't an easy decision. It was bloody tough. At the end of the day, I looked at what's best for my family and making the move was the best thing for me."

Bennett was part of the New Zealand squad in the 2011 World Cup but has not played international cricket since January 2014. He has played only one Test and 14 ODIs after his international debut in October 2010, and has 23 international wickets with a best of 4 for 16 against Kenya in the World Cup.

His international stint was dotted with absences due to injury. He played only four matches in the 2011 World Cup before being ruled out due to an injury to the ankle and Achilles tendon. The following year, he underwent surgery in an attempt to overcome a persistent back injury. Bennett returned to international cricket after a gap of almost three years when he was called up to replace Adam Milne in the ODI home series against India in January 2014. He played the last two matches of the series, taking three wickets.

Overall, Bennett has played 51 first-class matches since his debut in the 2005-06 season, taking 158 wickets at an average of 32.48. During his stint with Canterbury, Bennett took 154 wickets in 48 matches. He has 92 wickets from 73 List A matches and nine wickets from 25 T20 games.