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Fast bowler Mark Gillespie is the only newcomer in the New Zealand cricket team named for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament in India.

“This is the strongest side that we can put together for what is a major tournament at the start of an intensive one-day season,” New Zealand coach John Bracewell said. The 26-year-old Gillespie was outstanding for Wellington in the domestic first class season and performed well for New Zealand A in the recent Top End Series in Australia, Bracewell said.

All rounder Scott Styris was named, despite missing his last match for English county side Middlesex because of a back injury. “The advice we have from Middlesex is that Scott should be able to return to cricket next week,” the coach said. “We will take a wait and see approach before considering whether he can tour and have no need to consider a replacement at this stage,” he added.

Bracewell praised the performances of batsmen Hamish Marshall and Lou Vincent for their English teams. Both performed erratically for New Zealand last season in a shaky batting line-up.

“Hamish Marshall has performed extremely well in his county season for Gloucestershire having scored five first class centuries and we look forward to seeing this return to form continue,” he said. He added Lou Vincent was in good form, averaging over 63 in one-day matches for Worcestershire.

The only player not considered for selection was pace bowler Michael Mason, who was ruled out due to an injury.

Squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Brendon McCullum, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.
Source:The News

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