New Zealand have included opener Jesse Ryder in their squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Opener back after seven months out for Twenty20 tournament
New Zealand have included opener Jesse Ryder in their squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
The explosive left-hander has been out of international cricket for seven months, after picking up an injury during the Champions Trophy in September.
After having surgery to his abdominal wall, Ryder is now back in action and smacked 103 from just 109 deliveries for his club side Wellington last week on his return to first-class cricket.
Just one new cap has been included in the 15-man squad, with Canterbury batsman Rob Nicol the new face in the travelling party.
New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said that he thought he said had the potential to go a long way in the tournament, with big things expected of new boy Nicol.
Excited
"We are excited about the side and believe that they will go well in the tournament," said Greatbatch.
"We have a mix of players who are competitive on the world stage in the Twenty20 format. Obviously, we will need to be consistent with our performances and build momentum through pool play.
"Rob Nicol comes in to the side on the back of some very good domestic form, particularly in the shorter form of the game."
Neil Broom and Daryl Tuffey both miss out through injury, while big-hitting all-rounder Jacob Oram, batsman Aaron Redmond and seamer Ian Butler are included having all returned from injury lay-offs.
New Zealand, who will be based in Guyana, will play Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Group B of the tournament, which runs from April 30 to May 16.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.
