Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and batsman Ross Taylor will return to New Zealand after the current tour of Bangladesh to ensure they have the best preparation for the home Tests against the West Indies.
New Zealand Cricket’s general manager of national selection, Bruce Edgar, says the pair won’t go to Sri Lanka in early November for the three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
Instead, they’ll return home to freshen up and prepare for the longer format of the game.
“Ross and Brendon need red ball preparation to be at their best for the summer,” Edgar said.
“Both players are vital to our success and fine tuning their red ball skills before the West Indies series starting in early December is paramount.”
As Taylor and McCullum play all three formats of the game, Edgar says it’s important to manage their playing loads building towards major events like the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
“This summer we have 37 days of international cricket at home, and Brendon and Ross are expected to play all of these, so it’s essential that we manage their workloads.”
McCullum and Taylor will have the opportunity to prepare for the Tests with Plunket Shield and New Zealand 11 matches prior to the first Test on December 3 in Dunedin.
The Black Caps have just completed two drawn Tests against Bangladesh, and will contest three ODIs and one T20 before they travel to Sri Lanka.
The return of Taylor and McCullum, as well as fast bowler Tim Southee, who is recovering from ankle surgery, also allows for the development of players who will add to New Zealand’s depth in ODIs and T20s.
“It’s important we provide game time to a wider playing group in one-dayers and Twenty20s, and establish a bigger bench of playing experience,” Edgar said.
Wellington wicketkeeper/batsman Luke Ronchi and Otago bowler Ian Butler will join the Black Caps squad in Sri Lanka, while Kane Williamson will captain the team in McCullum’s absence.
New Zealand one-day and T20 squad for Sri Lanka: Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Ian Butler, Anton Devcich, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Mitchelll McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford.