New Zealand on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting September 6 in Cairns, with fast bowler Matt Henry making a comeback after recovering from his rib injury.

Matt Henry’s return was expected after injury with the fast bowler having a good time on the tour to Europe recently before injury struck.

New Zealand Skipper Kane Williamson Looking Forward To The Challenge To Beat Australia In Their Own Conditions

Matt Henry’s inclusion is the only change from the squad, who claimed New Zealand’s first one-day series win in the West Indies earlier this week, with spinner Ish Sodhi making way. With Ish Sodhi missing out on selection, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell will play the role of spin-bowling all-rounders in the squad.

Kane Williamson, resuming the captaincy after missing the final two games against West Indies in Barbados, said the squad couldn’t wait to head across the Tasman.

“It’s a great rivalry we have with Australia; it’s always a huge occasion for the fans, and the team really looks forward to it,” said Williamson.

“You grow up watching the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series and remembering the great battles, so to be part of another chapter is pretty special. We know how tough Australia are to beat in their own conditions and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” he added.

New Zealand has packed their squad with plenty of pace as they attempt to wrest the Chappell-Hadlee trophy out of Australia’s hands next month.  In addition to the more established Lockie Ferguson, they have also brought in the 23-year-old Ben Sears, who may well make his ODI debut in the three-match series starting on September 6.

Trent Boult has kept his place in the squad, while the conditions on offer across the Tasman have prompted New Zealand to further bolster their pace reserves with Matt Henry, who missed their most recent assignment in the West Indies with a rib injury.

New Zealand Coach Gary Stead Welcomes Return Of New Zealand Frontline Pacer Matt Henry

Matt Henry’s return was expected after injury with the fast bowler having a good time on the tour to Europe recently before injury struck. The pacer, who has 12 wickets in ODIs this year, is the highest wicket-taker for the Blackcaps in the format in 2022.

Gary Stead welcomed back the six-ranked ODI bowler Matt Henry to the squad after recovering from a rib injury that saw him miss the Windies series. He also shed a light on the young pacer Ben Sears’ selection and stated that the team is looking to take advantage of the pace and bounce on offer in Australia.

“It’s great to welcome back Matt [Henry]. He’s been one of our front-line one-day bowlers for the past few years and his ICC ODI bowling ranking of six is testament to that,” head coach Gary Stead said.

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who has picked up 110 ODI wickets, 53 Test wickets, and 7 T20I wickets, is said to have encountered pain in his left side during practice last week. After there were no signs of improvement New Zealand Cricket (NZC) decided to rule him out of the ODI series in the Caribbean Tour.

Kyle Jamieson, who is nursing a back injury, and Adam Milne, who is out with an Achilles injury, weren’t considered for selection.

New Zealand ODI squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Tim Southee