NZ leave Parore out of ODI squad

New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore has been excluded from the first draft of players selected to play three one-day internationals against Pakistan next month.

The squad announced on Monday by selectors Sir Richard Hadlee, Brian McKechnie and new coach Denis Aberhart has not named a wicketkeeper, and chairman Hadlee said Parore, who disappointed during the recent tri-series in Sri Lanka, was not necessarily out of the running.

Parore's main rival for the gloves is Wellington wicketkeeper batsman Chris Nevin, who is now in India with the New Zealand A team contesting the Buchi Babu three-day tournament.

"Adam (Parore) was not the only senior player to disappoint in Sri Lanka and he has not been ruled out of the one-day side for Pakistan," Hadlee said. "But the selectors want to give further consideration to Chris Nevin as a wicketkeeper and top order batsman."

Off-spinner Grant Bradburn is the only other player who went to Sri Lanka not named in the squad, with Hadlee saying the selectors are watching the performances of leg-spinner Brooke Walker, right-arm off-break bowler Glen Sulzberger and off-spinner Paul Wiseman, who are also in India.

"The make-up of this side was hotly debated as the performance levels from some of our more experienced players was below par in Sri Lanka," Hadlee said. "It is time for the senior players, particularly, to front up and take responsibility for winning games through their individual contributions to the side."

All-rounder Chris Cairns was not considered because he has yet to fully recover from knee surgery.

New Zealand failed to reach the final of the Sri Lanka tournament, which the home side won comfortably against India.

The 12 named for the one-day leg of the Pakistan tour, with two more to be added, are: Stephen Fleming (captain, Wellington), Nathan Astle (Canterbury), James Franklin (Wellington), Chris Harris (Canterbury), Craig McMillan (Canterbury), Kyle Mills (Auckland), Dion Nash (Auckland), Jacob Oram (Central Districts), Mathew Sinclair (Central Districts), Daryl Tuffey (Northern Districts), Daniel Vettori (Northern Districts), Lou Vincent (Auckland).

Mail Cricket Editor