New Zealand call Ish Sodhi for the last ODI against Australia

After winning the first ODI, the second ending in a washout, hosts New Zealand have decided to recall leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for the final game of the Chappell-Hadlee series to be played on Sunday (February 5) in Hamilton. Sodhi is fresh from his stint with the Adelaide Strikes in the BBL and is eager to get back into the Black Caps for the all important match.

New Zealand national selector Gavin Larsen after announcing Sodhi’s call said they are hopeful that the Seddon Park wicket plays pro-spin like it has on a number of occasions in the past. “History shows that the Seddon Park pitch can be spin friendly and for that reason Ish has been brought into the squad,”

“We wanted the option of two specialist spinners for this match and it’s a venue that Ish has had some success in at in the past. Mike [Hesson] and Kane [Williamson] will now get the opportunity to assess the pitch over the next couple of days and make a decision from there as to who will be in the playing eleven.” He was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying.

Sodhi bowled his best spell in Twenty20 cricket in the BBL as he returned with a stupendous 6-wicket haul in the match against Sydney Thunders. His figures of 6 for 11 ensured the Thunders were eliminated from the tournament.

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Along with that, reserve opener Dean Brownlie has been retained in the team and will most likely open the batting since it appears difficult that Martin Guptill will recover in time from the hamstring strain for the game. “Martin has made progress in the last couple of days, but it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be available for selection,” Larsen said. “At this stage it’s probably 50-50.”