BLACKCAPS ODI CALL-UP FOR WILL YOUNG

ROSS TAYLOR has played 232 One-Day Internationals for New Zealand. WILL YOUNG has played zero, but the Stags could be batting alongside each other in black as early as next weekend.

Young’s maiden call-up to the BLACKCAPS' ODI squad comes in the wake of an elbow injury ruling out regular BLACKCAPS skipper Kane Williamson - reward at last for Young's outstanding record in this format for New Zealand A and New Zealand XI teams over recent seasons.

The classy Stag has NZ A one-day centuries against both India A and Pakistan A (his List A high score of 136) and turned heads in autumn 2019 with two one-day centuries in the space of three games for a New Zealand XI against the shadow 2019 Australia World Cup team in Brisbane - on a dodgy shoulder.

Young, Wellington’s Devon Conway and Canterbury’s Daryl Mitchell are all first-timers in the ODI squad announced this morning for the Alesha Mart ODI Series against Bangladesh that starts in Dunedin on Saturday week, 20 March 2021.

Tom Latham will lead the side in Williamson's absence and keep wicket. The remainder of the squad has a settled look, with Mitchell nabbing the third all-rounder’s spot alongside Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner, who is also the specialist spinner.

Young has relished opportunities to learn off ODI maestro Taylor this summer | Photo: MARGOT BUTCHER

Martin Guptill has been passed fit and is set to open the batting with Henry Nicholls after the pair’s strong series against India in February last year.

Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson vie for the pace bowling positions.

Taylor has 21 ODI centuries for the BLACKCAPS | Photosport

BLACKCAPS Selector Gavin Larsen said it was exciting to get the one-day side back together.

“It’s certainly been a while since we’ve played ODI cricket, with just four games since the 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign,” he notes.

“We’re now in a new World Cup cycle and our attention has turned to building towards the 2023 tournament in India. This series is a great opportunity to begin laying those foundations and formulating the type of team and gameplan we think can continue our impressive run in this format.

Face for the future: a new World Cup cycle begins | Photosport

“Devon, Will and Daryl are quality players and have enjoyed impressive seasons, and we’re looking forward to giving them further opportunities to develop their game at this level.

“We’ve also taken the decision to carry just the one spinner in the squad, which is a reflection of the venues for this Series and expected pitch conditions.