Reports: Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi set to be part of New Zealand's World Cup squad

The ICC World Cup 2019 starts on May 30 and will be hosted by England and Wales. With the participating teams finalizing their squads, which have to be submitted by 23rd April, the news is filtering in about possible inclusions and exclusions from the teams with many names floating in the mix.

In the same vein, the reports suggest that two of the most talented players are in the mix to travel to England and Wales as part of the Kiwi team. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi are the ones who are almost finalized to be picked in the squad for the mega event. The New Zealand squad is supposed to be announced by selectors on April 3 in Christchurch.

Blundell over Tim Seifert?

Ish Sodhi has been one of the best spinners for New Zealand in all the three formats despite form issues. The 26-year-old leggie has played 30 ODIs for the Black Caps since making his debut in 2015 and has picked 39 wickets in the format. He has also enjoyed a purple patch of form in the Plunket Shield after some good showings against Sri Lanka and in one of the games against India recently. Sodhi is expected to join Mitchell Santner as the second spinner in the squad.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell might get chosen over Tim Seifert for the back-up wicketkeeper spot. Blundell is yet to play any ODI game for New Zealand, but has played 2 Tests and 3 T20Is for them and has made a century on his Test debut.

As for the other places in the squad, it is expected that Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are expected to join Trent Boult and Tim Southee to complete the fast bowling department according to the reports in the New Zealand Herald. The all-rounders’ spots are believed to be grabbed by Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham.

Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Latham, and Henry Nichols are expected to complete the batting department and the full squad and fly to England.

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