Cricket: Neesham back in NZ side

Jimmy Neesham
Jimmy Neesham
The return of all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is one reason for Otago-based Black Caps fans to get excited about the side's tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa next month.

Neesham told the Otago Daily Times last week he was back operating at 95%, and his recovery from a stress fracture has been enough for the 24-year-old to get a call up for the limited-overs tour.

Neesham and fast bowler Adam Milne are the two players returning to the squad from injury, while batsmen Tom Latham and Colin Munro have been given the nod for the nine-match tour.

The side will be led by Kane Williamson in the absence of Brendon McCullum while regulars Tim Southee (rested), Trent Boult (injured) and Corey Anderson (injured) will also miss the tour.

The one new face is Northern Districts legspinner Ish Sodhi, who impressed in last season's Ford Trophy taking 14 wickets at 29.78 while conceding under five runs an over.

He will only be with the squad for the four matches in Zimbabwe, before seamer Doug Bracewell takes his spot in South Africa.

Black Caps coach and selector Mike Hesson said the choice of Sodhi for Zimbabwe and Bracewell for South Africa was very much a matter of picking horses for courses.

''We think Ish will be useful on pitches which tend to be slow and take turn, and against a Zimbabwe team stacked with right-handers,'' Hesson said.

''But we're unlikely to need a third spinner in South Africa, which is why we've opted for another seamer in Doug.''

While the side will be missing two of its leaders in McCullum and Southee, its main strike weapon in Boult and the game-changing Anderson, Hesson does not want to see standards drop.

''This is a team which has built up an impressive record on the international circuit in recent times and the expectation is that we continue to perform, regardless of who might be missing,'' he said.

''Our focus is on continuing to produce strong team performances, rather than be distracted by the presence or absence of specific individuals.''

The majority of the squad will assemble at a training camp in Potchefstroom before heading to Harare for the opening ODI.

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