Ben Sears, an uncapped fast bowler, has been added to New Zealand’s ODI team for the three-match series against Bangladesh as a replacement for Kyle Jamieson, who has a strained left hamstring.
Kyle Jamieson felt hamstring stiffness after returning from Bangladesh, where the Black Caps played two World Test Championship matches. Jamieson arrived in Dunedin on Thursday after returning to New Zealand with the Test squad on Tuesday evening. The decision to leave Jamieson out was termed as “precautionary” by New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead.
“We’re taking a cautious approach with Kyle [Jamieson]. We don’t want to rush or push him back, particularly at the very start of our home summer. He could play if absolutely necessary but we don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, hence calling in Ben for this first match.
Sears is yet to make his ODI debut, however he was in the squad for last year’s Chappell-Hadlee Series in Cairns. He has already made his Black Caps debut in the shortest format.
“Ben’s familiar to the team environment and it’s been good to see him back at full fitness for the Firebirds.”
The first One-Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and Bangladesh is scheduled for December 17 at Dunedin. The second ODI will be held in Nelson on December 20, followed by the third in Napier on December 23.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham, Adi Ashok (matches 2 and 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi (match 1), Will Young, Ben Sears.