Cricket
Vettori, McCullum miss ODIs
2010-06-27 07:11
New Zealand's Daniel Vettori. (Gallo)
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Wellington - New Zealand has left its two most senior cricketers, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, out of the squad named for next month's limited over series against Sri Lanka and India in Sri Lanka.
Vettori has been allowed to stay home as the tour coincides with the birth of his second child while McCullum, whose wife is also due to give birth next month, is to undergo a reconditioning programme, coach Mark Greatbatch said.
Ross Taylor will take over the captaincy in place of Vettori. Taylor led New Zealand to victory against Australia by two wickets with four balls to spare when he filled in for an injured Vettori in March.
McCullum has also announced he will no longer keep wicket at Test level, to concentrate on his batting, and will limit his glove duties to Twenty20 and one-day internationals.
"By limiting my keeping to the shorter forms of the game it increases my chances of prolonging my career," he said.
Greatbatch said McCullum had been troubled with injuries related to keeping, and his decision to give away the Test gloves was understandable.
"He's a really talented player and we want him to be part of the Black Caps' set-up for a long time to come."
The squad travelling to Sri Lanka includes Grant Elliott and Jesse Ryder who are returning from injury.
Elliott last played for New Zealand in the Test series against Pakistan in December while Ryder injured an elbow during the World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies in early May.
New Zealand squad
Ross Taylor (captain), Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, B.J. Watling, Kane Williamson.