Worker to open in GJ Gardner Homes ODI series for New Zealand

Martin Guptill is not yet back to full fitness from his hamstring injury, meaning Worker will get his first opportunity at the top of the batting order. Mitchell Santner will also miss the first ODI due to a shoulder injury.

Kane Williamson will play the opening ODI, before missing the final two matches and opening Twenty20 as part of a planned rest. Neil Broom and Santner will replace Williamson and Tim Southee after the Whangarei match for the two Christchurch matches.

Kane Williamson (Northern Districts)  (c) - First ODI only
Todd Astle (Canterbury)
Trent Boult (Northern Districts)
Colin de Grandhomme (Auckland Aces)
Lockie Ferguson (Auckland Aces)
Matt Henry (Canterbury)
Tom Latham (Canterbury)
Adam Milne (Central Stags)
Colin Munro (Auckland Aces)
Henry Nicholls (Canterbury)
Tim Southee (Northern Districts) - First ODI only
Ross Taylor (Central Stags)
George Worker (Central Stags)

Coming in:
Neil Broom (Otago Volts) - Second and third ODI
Mitchell Santner (Northern Districts) - Second and third ODI

New Zealand Selector Gavin Larsen was quoted as saying by the board website that it was good that like-for-like replacements could be made in the squad.

“Todd with his all round ability provides a straight swap for Mitchell in the first ODI,” Larsen said