Matt Henry returns as New Zealand announces ODI squad against West Indies

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New Zealand have confirmed their 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies starting November 16 in Christchurch. The notable highlight is the return of fast bowler Matt Henry, who missed the recent home series due to injury. However, experienced batter Kane Williamson remains unavailable as he continues to focus on red-ball preparation for the ICC World Test Championship series against the same opposition next month.

Williamson, who recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket, opted out of the limited-overs leg to manage workload and fully recover before the Test series. His absence once again places leadership duties on the shoulders of all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who led the side to an impressive ODI series win over England earlier this year.

New Zealand coach Rob Walter expressed confidence in the returning faces and praised the efforts of those who performed strongly in recent outings. He particularly lauded pacer Blair Tickner, who retains his place after consistent performances against England.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from Ticks, he brought energy, pace, and bounce, and that proved a challenge even for top-tier batters. Rewarding players like him reflects how we are building depth and resilience in our squad,” Walter said.

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Henry’s comeback provides a major boost to the Black Caps’ pace attack. The 32-year-old seamer, who played his last ODI during the against Zimbabwe, returns after recovering from an abdominal strain. Henry’s experience and control with the new ball will be crucial against an explosive West Indies top order.

However, the team continues to deal with several injury setbacks. Mohammad Abbas (ribs), Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring) were all unavailable for selection. Despite these absences, New Zealand’s bowling core still looks balanced, featuring Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, and the emerging all-rounder Nathan Smith alongside senior pacers Henry and Tickner.

Among the batters, Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell form the experienced core, supported by promising young talents Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, and Will Young. Michael Bracewell also returns after missing several months due to injury, adding strength to the middle order and balance with his off-spin. With Santner and Bracewell in the squad, New Zealand have two versatile all-round options who can adapt to any surface.

Walter acknowledged the challenge of facing a rejuvenated West Indies side. “They are always dangerous and have the ability to change a match in a few overs. This will test our adaptability and consistency across all three venues,” he added.

New Zealand ODI squad against West Indies

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young

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