Uncapped fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been named in the 14-man New Zealand squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia beginning on December 4 in Sydney.
The 25-year-old from Auckland has earned a call in the national squad following his bright start to the domestic season, having finished with the match figures of 5 for 101, 4 for 107 and 6 for 89 respectively in his most recent Plunkett Shield games.
Confirming Ferguson's inclusion in the squad, New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said that the former was effectively a like-for-like replacement for Adam Milne.
"Lockie has bowled with pace, and with Milne not available through a series of injuries, Lockie was the obvious guy to step up.He bowls consistently in the 140kph range, and clicks over 150 every now and then. There is some real gas to Lockie Ferguson. There's an element of surprise and no batsman likes bowlers who are up at that pace," ESPNcricinfo quoted Larsen as saying.
Batsman Henry Nicholls has been recalled in the ODI squad while leg-spinner Todd Astle has also been brought in place of Ish Sodhi, who featured in the recently-concluded five-match series against India.
Colin Munro, who missed the series against India due to an injury, has also been retained in the squad.
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Veteran batsman Ross Taylor, who will undergo an eye surgery on Wednesday , was unavailable for selection while fast bowlers Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan, and all-rounders Corey Anderson and George Worker have also not been included in the squad courtesy their respective injuries.
The New Zealand ODI squad is as follows:
Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, BJ Watling.