New Zealand have called up uncapped fast bowler Brett Randell for the final two ODIs against India, with all-rounder Josh Clarkson also joining the squad as the Black Caps battle an injury list that has forced changes right through the series. Randell, 31, is now in line for an international debut at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, where the fourth ODI is played on Friday, 13 November and the fifth on Sunday, 15 November.
Who is Brett Randell?
Randell is a 31-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Central Districts who has built his case the long way round. He has 145 professional caps to his name, including five appearances for New Zealand A, and recently returned from a County Championship stint with Derbyshire. The ICC's announcement of his call-up notes that he has performed well in domestic cricket and for New Zealand A in recent times, and head coach Rob Walter made it clear the selection was earned, not gifted.
Randell is called up for both the fourth and fifth ODIs, so he has two chances to win a first cap before the series ends. With New Zealand's pace stocks stretched thin, he could go straight into the XI at the Bay Oval.
What Rob Walter said
Walter was full of praise for the new man, saying Randell had done everything asked of him over a long period in the domestic game.
We're very pleased for Brett, he's been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for some time now and has earned this opportunity.
The coach also acknowledged how much chopping and changing the series has forced on his side, with injuries and Test preparations pulling players in different directions.
There's been a few movements throughout the series so we're fortunate to be able to bring in Brett and Josh.
Walter is hoping the weather plays its part this weekend after the Hamilton washout, with the series heading to the Bay Oval for its final two games.
The weather looks promising this weekend so hopefully we'll get to end the series on a high.
Why New Zealand needed reinforcements
The Black Caps have been patched up all series. Lockie Ferguson is still out after failing to recover from the low-grade right-calf tear he picked up during the T20I leg against India, and he appears in neither of the two updated ODI squads. Blair Tickner, who missed the third ODI, is out of the fourth as well and returns only for the fifth.
At the same time, a group of red-ball players has left the white-ball camp to prepare for the two-Test series against India, which starts in Wellington on 19 November. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith departed on 11 November, while Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson stay on for the fourth ODI only before joining the Test build-up.
That is why the squads for the last two games look so different from the one that started the series — and why a 31-year-old domestic workhorse finally gets his chance.
The updated squads
Mitchell Santner continues to captain the side in both games. The two squads, as announced, are:
Fourth ODI (13 November):
Mitchell Santner (c)
Finn Allen
Michael Bracewell
Kristian Clarke
Jacob Duffy
Matt Fisher
Dean Foxcroft
Mitch Hay
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Nick Kelly
Brett Randell
Tim Seifert
Will Young
Fifth ODI (15 November):
Mitchell Santner (c)
Finn Allen
Michael Bracewell
Kristian Clarke
Josh Clarkson
Jacob Duffy
Matt Fisher
Dean Foxcroft
Mitch Hay
Nick Kelly
Brett Randell
Tim Seifert
Blair Tickner
Will Young
The difference between the two lists tells the story of the week: Henry and Jamieson play the fourth ODI only, while Clarkson and Tickner come in for the fifth. Randell is the one constant addition across both games.
Series so far
India have already wrapped up the series. They won the first ODI in Auckland on 4 November by five wickets (DLS method), then edged the second in Wellington on 7 November by four runs (DLS method). The third ODI, at Seddon Park in Hamilton on 10 November, was abandoned without a ball bowled after persistent rain, leaving India 2-0 up with two games to play.
Both remaining matches are at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui — the fourth on Friday, 13 November and the fifth on Sunday, 15 November.
What happens next
Randell will be hoping to make his debut in the fourth ODI on Friday, with the fifth on Sunday as a second chance if he does not play. Clarkson, meanwhile, joins the group for the finale only. Once the ODI series ends, attention turns straight to the Tests: the first starts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 19 November, with the second at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from 27 November.
FAQs
Who is Brett Randell?
Brett Randell is a 31-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Central Districts. He has 145 professional caps, including five appearances for New Zealand A, and recently played county cricket for Derbyshire. His call-up for the final two ODIs against India is his first selection for New Zealand.
When could Randell make his international debut?
He is in the squad for the fourth ODI on Friday, 13 November and the fifth ODI on Sunday, 15 November, both at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. He could debut in either game if selected in the XI.
Why did New Zealand change their ODI squad?
Injuries and Test preparations. Lockie Ferguson is out with a calf injury, Blair Tickner missed the third ODI and sits out the fourth, and several red-ball players have left for the Test camp ahead of the series starting on 19 November. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson stay for the fourth ODI only.
Is Josh Clarkson in the squad for both final ODIs?
No. Although the announcement describes Clarkson as joining for the final two matches, the published squads list the Central Districts all-rounder only in the fifth ODI squad, on 15 November. Randell is the only one of the two new faces named in both squads.
What is the state of the ODI series?
India lead 2-0 and have already sealed the series. They won in Auckland by five wickets (DLS) and in Wellington by four runs (DLS), before the third ODI in Hamilton was washed out. The fourth ODI is on 13 November and the fifth on 15 November, both at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
Conclusion
For Brett Randell, this is the reward for years of honest domestic cricket — a maiden New Zealand call-up at 31, with two ODIs at the Bay Oval to turn it into a debut. For the Black Caps, it is another patch in a series that has tested their depth to the limit. India have the series won, but the weekend still matters: for Randell, for Clarkson, and for a home side that wants to finish a difficult series on a high before the Tests begin.
Also on CricVic: New Zealand name 14-man Test squad for home series against India
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Sources: ICC — Pacer set for debut as Black Caps add duo to squad for India