New Zealand pick three spinners for ICC World Twenty20

New Zealand national selectors have kept the Indian conditions in mind and named three spinners - Nathan McCullum, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner - in the 15-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in India in March-April 2016, announced on Monday (February 1).

"With the Indian conditions in mind, the plan has always been to take three front-line spinners and all three bring something different," Mike Hesson, New Zealand head coach, said in a statement read out to the media.

"It's great to have Nathan available again and his experience in the foreign conditions will be invaluable. Both he and Mitch Santner have the ability to bowl in the first six overs, which gives Kane (Williamson) a number of options to work with."

Offspinner McCullum, legspinner Sondhi and all-rounder Santner have all been a part of the New Zealand line-up at some point during the team's limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, at home.

Uncapped Henry Nicholls, meanwhile, got his maiden call up for the shortest format after his Man of the Match performance - 82 with the bat - against Pakistan in the first One-Day International at Basin Reserve. A part-time wicketkeeper for New Zealand A, Nicholls will also serve as a backup reserve for their regular man Luke Ronchi.

"Henry has shown his talent and versatility with the bat this summer and has also been used as a wicket-keeper for New Zealand A," Hesson said.

The injured trio - bowlers Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan and senior batsman Ross Taylor - is expected to regain match fitness before the start of the tournament.

Matt Henry had to make way for the return of Southee and McClenaghan, and Adam Milne fills the last spot in the pace department along with Trent Boult and allrounders Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott.

Todd Astle, rookie legspinner, unfortunately missed out on a spot despite being included in the squad for the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Astle, who made his Twenty20 International debut in the first game, proved ineffective in the first two appearances and was ultimately left out of the series decider after going wicket-less in the limited opportunity he got.

New Zealand are clubbed alongside Australia, Pakistan, India and the winner of the qualifying pool played among Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Oman. They play their tournament opener against the hosts India in Nagpur on March 15.

Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi