In the opening ODI match against India at Eden Park, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson decided to bowl first after winning the toss. After missing the third Twenty20 international on November 22 due to a scheduled medical visit, Williamson rejoins the New Zealand squad. The series was won 1-0 by India.
India selected two rookies in a youthful starting lineup. Umran Malik, a right-arm fast bowler, and Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm fast bowler, will each play in their maiden ODI. The four seam bowlers picked by New Zealand are Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, and Lockie Ferguson. Mitchell Santner, an all-around player, offers the spin option.
Both nations are starting to anticipate the ODI World Cup in India, which is just a year away, after having just finished the T20 World Cup. “A year out and every match marks another opportunity to develop as a side," Williamson said.
Lineups:
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
India: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Umpires: Chris Brown and Chris Gaffaney, New Zealand.
TV umpire: Wayne Knights, New Zealand. Match referee: Jeff Crowe, New Zealand.
(With AP inputs)
