T20 Cricket News

New Zealand's selectors have named five uncapped players in a 30-man probables squad for the upcoming World Twenty20 in the West Indies starting next month.

The squad, which will be reduced to 15 players by the end of March, features the Northern Districts pair of Brent Arnel and Bradley Scott, Canterbury's Rob Nicol and Shanan Stewart, and Central Districts' Kieran Noema-Barnett after solid performances in the domestic competition this summer.

"It's a big squad and we are covering all our bases," said New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch in a statement. "Realistically there are 22-23 players there who have a good chance of making the final 15."

New Zealand currently have their share of injury worries for the ongoing ODI series against Australia as well as for the future. Jacob Oram was yesterday diagnosed with a patella tendon tear that could rule him out for up to a month, Jesse Ryder continues to battle a prolonged injury, and the fast bowlers Ian Butler, Kyle Mills and Andy McKay have also picked up niggles. All five have been named among the probables with hopes that they will be fit.

"We have some very competitive players to compete at the World Cup. We feel that we have some depth and good skill level available for selection," said Greatbatch. "It will be nice to get some of our core players back fit. It is an important month for them to get themselves ready and up to speed."

New Zealand will play their first match of the World Twenty20 against Sri Lanka on April 30, with Zimbabwe the other team in their group.

New Zealand's women's preliminary squad was also named, and it included the full squad who reached last year's Twenty20 World Cup final in England, where they lost to the hosts. "It's a strong squad. We have 19 players who have played for New Zealand this last year. It's well balanced and well rounded with good cover in all areas," said coach Gary Stead. "We have also ensured that the 24 players who will participate in a north versus south series at Lincoln later this month have all been included in the full squad.

"The final selection process will include the remaining matches in the Rose Bowl series [against Australia this weekend], two Twenty20 games and a 50 over game in the North v South series and fitness testing . We will select the team after that."

The final 15-woman squad will have a camp on April 10-11. New Zealand are pooled in Group B with India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Their first match is against India on May 6.

Men's pool: Brent Arnel, Shane Bond, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Bradley Scott, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Southee, Shanan Stewart, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori

Women's pool: Victoria Lind, Saskia Bullen, Megan Tremaine, Kate Pulford, Nicola Browne, Anna Wilkins, Natalie Dodd, Morna Nielsen, Aimee Watkins, Sara McGlashan, Kate Broadmore, Rachel Priest, Abby Burrows, Rachel Candy, Sophie Devine, Sian Ruck, Lucy Doolan, Liz Perry, Melinda Hodgson, Amy Satterthwaite, Maria Fahey, Erin Bermingham, Amber Boyce, Michelle Mitchell, Frances Mackay, Suzie Bates, Katey Martin, Sarah Tsukigawa, Emma Campbell, Megan Kane

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