LEGGIE: Tarun Nethula will end a decade-long absence of legspinners in the New Zealand ODI side today.
In a selection to warm the hearts of cricket purists everywhere, Tarun Nethula will end a decade-long absence of legspinners in the New Zealand ODI side today.
The 28-year-old was confirmed by coach John Wright as a certain debutant when Whangarei hosts its first international, against Zimbabwe, as the underperforming tourists try to rally from a 90-run defeat in the series opener in Dunedin.
The last time a leggie donned the black shirt was in April 2002 when Brooke Walker stepped in for Daniel Vettori in Lahore. Vettori's post World Cup move to tests only opened the door for another twirler, and Nethula kicked his way in with a solid T20 campaign for Central Districts – 10 wickets at 20.80 and economy rate of 7.17.
Having seemingly moved to second behind Vettori in the test spin pecking order, Nethula admitted surprise last week at his one-day selection: "I'd never really put myself into contention for the limited-overs format. I didn't make any winter tours, either for the A side or Emerging Players."
Wright said an excited Nethula had already been told he was playing at Cobham Oval, with Nathan McCullum resting.
"He's had pretty good one-day numbers. People have been talking about him in the test arena, but let's see how he goes in one-day cricket and we'll go from there," Wright said.
Uncapped left-armer Michael Bates was also omitted from the 12 with Wright saying he would get his chance in the two-match T20 series. One of Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Doug Bracewell or Tim Southee will carry the drinks, with Wright confirming Andrew Ellis would bat seven in his second ODI after a solid debut (33 and 1-34) in Dunedin.
Wright was unimpressed by the batting performance at University Oval where they were dismissed for 248.
"Where we get hurt in one-day cricket is if we don't bat deep and we don't use up our overs.
" It's going to be a good wicket and it's a chance for some of our batsmen to get big runs."
Cobham Oval will become New Zealand's 12th ODI venue, and despite a forecast of cloudy periods and drizzle for Waitangi Day, should draw a healthy crowd.
Zimbabwe have been distinctly ordinary after their competitive efforts in last year's home series, dismissed for 158 in 41.1 overs in Dunedin with captain Brendan Taylor topscoring with 58. Wright could appreciate home fans being a touch underwhelmed with South Africa's arrival less than a fortnight away.
"I can understand it but a win's a win. We've got South Africa coming and we need to play well against Zimbabwe. They have one or two players who can hurt us, for instance Brendan Taylor if he gets in can make life very difficult.
"They managed to beat us in Bulawayo in the last one-dayer [in October]. We value our wins very highly and if we can get some form going we've got to try and knock off South Africa."
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Doug Bracewell, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Tarun Nethula (one to be omitted).
Zimbabwe (from): Brendan Taylor (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Regis Chakabva, Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Keegan Meth, Shingirai Masakadza, Ray Price, Kyle Jarvis, Tino Mawoyo, Forster Mutizwa, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori.
The 28-year-old was confirmed by coach John Wright as a certain debutant when Whangarei hosts its first international, against Zimbabwe, as the underperforming tourists try to rally from a 90-run defeat in the series opener in Dunedin.
The last time a leggie donned the black shirt was in April 2002 when Brooke Walker stepped in for Daniel Vettori in Lahore. Vettori's post World Cup move to tests only opened the door for another twirler, and Nethula kicked his way in with a solid T20 campaign for Central Districts – 10 wickets at 20.80 and economy rate of 7.17.
Having seemingly moved to second behind Vettori in the test spin pecking order, Nethula admitted surprise last week at his one-day selection: "I'd never really put myself into contention for the limited-overs format. I didn't make any winter tours, either for the A side or Emerging Players."
Wright said an excited Nethula had already been told he was playing at Cobham Oval, with Nathan McCullum resting.
"He's had pretty good one-day numbers. People have been talking about him in the test arena, but let's see how he goes in one-day cricket and we'll go from there," Wright said.
Uncapped left-armer Michael Bates was also omitted from the 12 with Wright saying he would get his chance in the two-match T20 series. One of Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Doug Bracewell or Tim Southee will carry the drinks, with Wright confirming Andrew Ellis would bat seven in his second ODI after a solid debut (33 and 1-34) in Dunedin.
Wright was unimpressed by the batting performance at University Oval where they were dismissed for 248.
"Where we get hurt in one-day cricket is if we don't bat deep and we don't use up our overs.
" It's going to be a good wicket and it's a chance for some of our batsmen to get big runs."
Cobham Oval will become New Zealand's 12th ODI venue, and despite a forecast of cloudy periods and drizzle for Waitangi Day, should draw a healthy crowd.
Zimbabwe have been distinctly ordinary after their competitive efforts in last year's home series, dismissed for 158 in 41.1 overs in Dunedin with captain Brendan Taylor topscoring with 58. Wright could appreciate home fans being a touch underwhelmed with South Africa's arrival less than a fortnight away.
"I can understand it but a win's a win. We've got South Africa coming and we need to play well against Zimbabwe. They have one or two players who can hurt us, for instance Brendan Taylor if he gets in can make life very difficult.
"They managed to beat us in Bulawayo in the last one-dayer [in October]. We value our wins very highly and if we can get some form going we've got to try and knock off South Africa."
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Doug Bracewell, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Tarun Nethula (one to be omitted).
Zimbabwe (from): Brendan Taylor (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Regis Chakabva, Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Keegan Meth, Shingirai Masakadza, Ray Price, Kyle Jarvis, Tino Mawoyo, Forster Mutizwa, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori.
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