TelstraClear Black Caps One-Day International squad named

New Zealand Cricket chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee today named the TelstraClear Black Caps One-Day International squad to compete in the 2002/03 National Bank One-Day International Series against India.

The 12-man squad is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Nathan Astle
Shane Bond
Paul Hitchcock
Brendon McCullum
Craig McMillan
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Mathew Sinclair
Daryl Tuffey
Daniel Vettori
Lou Vincent

Chris Cairns, Andre Adams and Chris Harris were not considered for selection.

Hadlee said that Cairns had progressed well but still required some more rehabilitation time after his recent knee surgery.

Hadlee also said Adams and Harris, who are also coming back from injury, needed some more game time at State Shield level before they would be considered for selection.

"We would like a further opportunity to look at the form and fitness of both players at domestic level before considering them for the One-Day International side.

"It's fair to say a couple of the players who have been selected for the team are under scrutiny because we have only limited matches available to select our World Cup squad.

"Scott Styris is a player who might consider himself unlucky but he is competing for his spot with a number of other all-rounders.

"The door is by no means shut and the onus is on him and others to score some runs and take some wickets at domestic level.

"Brendon McCullum has been given an opportunity ahead of Chris Nevin in the contest for the wicket-keeper/batsman position on the back of some impressive batting and keeping for Otago."

Hadlee went on to say that, with the World Cup looming, the competition for some spots in the team was intense.

"We have to name 15 players at the end of the month for our World Cup campaign. Clearly we have a fairly good idea of who will fill most of those spots but until the deadline is reached we will be watching closely."