*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Cricket | International

Taylor back in Black Caps squad



Former captain Ross Taylor has returned to the New Zealand squads for this month's one day internationals and Twenty20s against England.

Taylor did not tour South Africa after he was dumped as captain late last year by coach Mike Hesson following the tour of Sri Lanka, an incident which prompted a credibility crisis for New Zealand Cricket.

The aggressive 28-year-old righthander has only recently returned to first class cricket for Central Districts.

"Ross is a world class batsman who is a key part of this Black Caps side," Hesson said in a statement.

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford, who had a strong domestic Twenty20 competition, is the only uncapped player in the squads, while allrounder Andrew Ellis returns to both after missing the South African tour with injury.

"There are a couple of changes that have been forced through injury but essentially we want to be seen to provide continuity from one series to the next," chief selector Kim Littlejohn said.

"We are however looking at developing talented youngsters and finding a new crop of allrounders in our build-up to the Champions Trophy in June and the 2015 Cricket World Cup."

England begin their tour on February 4 with a Twenty20 match in Whangarei against a New Zealand XI. The first Twenty20 international is in Auckland on February 9.

Twenty20 squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Ian Butler, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin,Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.

One day squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Shop

438 - The Greatest One-Day Game
The DVD box holds three (3) DVDs
R138.95
The Proteas
20 Years, 20 Landmark Matches by Neil Manthorp
R180.00
Why Are You So Fat?
The hilarious book of all the best on-pitch repartee and banter -- the fine art of sledging
R138.00
The Art of Losing
How is it possible that the Proteas have never won a single knockout match at a World Cup?
R165.00


Comments

More expert analysis and opinion from Sport24
The opinions expressed by Sport24 experts and bloggers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent those of SuperSport

Sports Talk



Neil Manthorp
Can anyone fix this?
Three Indian cricketers from the IPL Franchise, the Rajasthan Royals, have been arrested by Delhi...

Kepler Wessels
SA face tough task in 'group of death'
While the IPL is winding down it is time to start looking ahead at the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Faf du Plessis
Losing coach Gary a massive loss
As I write this, we’re just a few hours out from our game against the Delhi Daredevils.

Haze's Comment
How will things change without Gazza?
For a bloke who freely admits that he never thought he would ever be good enough to play test...

Mpumelelo Mbangwa
Critical time for Domingo
While “the show” must go on and everybody gets on with what it is they are meant to do, one cannot...

Arjun Vidyarthi
Cricket Kenya – 6 months in
Its been six months since the new Cricket Kenya officials took up their posts and Chairperson...