NZ vs Ind - Brett Randell called up to New Zealand ODI squad for final two games against India

Uncapped fast bowler Brett Randell has earned a maiden call up to the New Zealand ODI squad for the final two games against India. The 31-year-old plays for Central Districts and has 100 wickets at an average of 22.74 from 55 List A games.

The Black Caps are yet to get on the board in the five-match series, trailing 2-0 with the third ODI on Tuesday rained out. The fourth and fifth games will be played in Mount Maunganui on Friday and Sunday and will involve significant churn as more players leave to prepare for the red-ball series against India starting on November 19. Some, like Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Test captain Tom Latham, have already departed for Wellington and they will soon be joined by Matt Henry and Kyle Jamiseon.

That has made room for allrounder Josh Clarksonwho will be in contention for the fifth ODI against India. He last played 50-overs for New Zealand in April, against Bangladesh, but has been in good form, recently picking up a five-for in the Ford Trophy. Finn Allen is poised to play his first ODI since September 2023 with the coaches flagging a new role for him as a middle-order power-hitter.

Randell started the year with a bang, picking up five wickets in five ballsthe first to ever do so in first-class cricket. He played for New Zealand A over the last couple of weeks after returning from a stint with Derbyshire in the English county circuit. In his most recent white-ball game, a high-scoring one where 401 played 341, he picked up 0 for 76. His economy rate, across his List A career which began in January 2017, is 5.14 and is backed up by four five-wicket hauls.

“Feels too good to be true, to be honest,” Randell said about his call-up. “As a youngster growing up in New Zealand, playing cricket, you sort of dream of being in this position. So just very privileged to be here.”

New Zealand’s support staff have also split off to join the red-ball team. Head coach Rob Walterwho has previously worked with both Randell and Clarkson at Central Districts, will be without bowling coach Jacob Oram, batting coach Luke Ronchi and strength and conditioning coach Chris Donaldson. Northern Districts pathway coach Mitch Renwick and strength and conditioning coach Corey Mileys are stepping in for the short term.

“Haven’t had a word with the coach [Walter] yet,” Randell said on the eve of the fourth ODI, “so if I do get out on the field, I’d be more than happy to make my debut. If I don’t, I’d be more than happy to help the lads out as well and hopefully get the lads out tomorrow.

“I pride myself on being accurate and doing something with the ball and getting something out of the wicket or in the air and like all of us from the Stags and from New Zealand, I’m giving 110% and trying to get our team across the line for the win.”

Randell has had to put in his time in domestic cricket and he was happy to do so considering the people he got to work with. “I guess it’s one of those things, like coming up with Northern District early doors. We obviously had the likes of Trent [Boult] and Tim [Southee] and Wags [Neil Wagner] and Colin de Grandhomme around and when they were playing there wasn’t a heck of a lot of opportunity but I got to learn off those guys. It may have delayed things but hey I was able to learn off them.

“And then moving to CD, working with guys like Blair Tickner, Josh Clarkson, Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler, all these have played for the Black Caps before as well so I’ve been able to learn and learn and learn.”

New Zealand squad for the fourth ODI

Mitchell Santner (capt), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young

New Zealand squad for the fifth ODI

Mitchell Santner (capt), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert (wk), Blair Tickner, Will Young

Source: www.cricinfo.com