Ross Taylor named in New Zealand T20, ODI squads to play England

The Associated Press / Times Colonist
January 31, 2013

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Former captain Ross Taylor has been included in the New Zealand cricket teams to play England in a Twenty20 and one-day series this month, ending his brief, self-imposed exile from the international game.

Taylor made himself unavailable for New Zealand's recent tour of South Africa after being fired as captain and replaced by Brendon McCullum. He will now play under McCullum in the three Twenty20 and three 50-overs internationals in New Zealand.

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford was the only uncapped player included in the two squads named Friday. Veteran medium pace bowler Ian Butler returns to the T20 squad, while allrounder Andrew Ellis has been named in both squads after missing the South Africa tour due to injury.

Rutherford is the son of former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford and has been in outstanding form in domestic competitions this season.

"Hamish has shown he is an explosive batsman and we hope he can bring that form to the Black Caps," coach Mike Hesson said, adding. "Andrew proved his worth with the team last summer, while Ross is a world-class batsman who is a key part of this Black Caps side."

National selection manager Kim Littlejohn said the selectors had attempted to ensure stability after the South African tour. New Zealand was heavily beaten in the two-test series in South Africa, but won the one-day series 2-1 after losing the Twenty20 series by the same margin.

"There are a couple of changes that have been forced through injury but essentially we want to be seen to provide continuity from one series to the next," Littlejohn said. "We are however looking at developing talented youngsters and finding a new crop of allrounders in our build-up to the Champions Trophy in June and the 2015 Cricket World Cup."

The Twenty20 internationals are at Auckland on Feb. 9, Hamilton on Feb. 12 and Wellington on Feb. 15. The one-day internationals will be played at Hamilton on Feb. 17, Napier on Feb. 20 and Auckland on Feb. 23.

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ODI squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Twenty20 squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Ian Butler, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.