WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Tom Latham will become New Zealand's 22nd one-day international cricket captain when he leads a makeshift team in a tri-series against Ireland and Bangladesh next month in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.
Latham gets the chance to lead New Zealand at the age of 25 in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is one of 10 frontline players who will miss the series while playing in the Indian Premier League.
The IPL has especially depleted New Zealand's fast bowling stocks with Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson all signed to IPL teams. That has led to the call-up of uncapped pacemen Seth Rance and Scott Kuggeleijn while New Zealand's test player of the year, Neil Wagner, might make his ODI debut aged 31.
Seamer Hamish Bennett, who played his most-recent ODI in 2014, and opening batsman George Worker, who scored 659 runs in domestic one-day matches this season at an average of 82, have been recalled. So too have Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls, who were dropped during the recent domestic summer.
Nepal Ireland Day 2018 concludes successfully
"This is a fantastic opportunity to give new players a taste of international cricket, as well as reward guys who have pushed their way back into contention," selector Gavin Larsen said. "Neil (Wagner) is an example of someone whose bowling has gone from strength to strength.
"Scott and Seth have worked their way into the side following superb domestic form over an extended period of time, which is equally true for George and Hamish who have earned recalls."
Larsen said Latham had extensive captaincy experience.
"At 25 years old Tom is still a youthful captain but he's performed the role well for Canterbury and New Zealand Under-19 in the past," he said.
"With the likes of Ross (Taylor) and Luke (Ronchi) in the squad, there also are some experienced players to help support him.
"It's a great learning opportunity for Tom and a chance for other squad members to take on a bigger leadership role too."
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New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain), George Worker, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Scott Kuggeleijn, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Hamish Bennett, Seth Rance, Jeetan Patel (will join the squad for the fourth ODI).
Itinerary: May 14, vs. Ireland, Dublin; May 17, vs. Bangladesh, Clontarf; May 21, vs. Ireland, Dublin; May 24, vs. Bangladesh, Clontarf.
