New Zealand select Daniel Vettori for 1st ODI against South Africa

Daniel Vettori returned to action in a warm-up game for New Zealand XI against Scotland on Wednesday

New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has been named in the 14-member squad for the first ODI against South Africa. The former captain is also the highest wicket-taker in ODIs for the Kiwi side with 284 scalps from 275 appearances.

The spin bowling great last played for Blackcaps in 2013 against England. Playing in his first match since comeback, Vettori bowled an impressive spell conceding just 43 runs in 10 overs, albeit going wicketless in a close match.

Speaking about the veteran, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said, Vettori had been "training the house down" since his return from injury. Also making their return to the side are young opener Tom Latham and middle-order batsman Dean Brownlie. The duo are expected to fill in for injured pair of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

"Tom had a very good tour to the West Indies with the test team and also impressed in the warm-up match in Lincoln (Christchurch), while Dean was in strong form on the recent NZA tour to the UK," Hesson was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

The coach should be pleased to hear the his premier fast bowler Tim Southee is declared fit for the first game at Mount Maunganui. The venue will host its first international game on October 21. On facing South Africa, the coach believes that "South Africa are a very consistent outfit in all forms, deservedly ranked second in one day cricket and have world-class players throughout their line-up".

The teams will stay back at Mount Maunganui for the second game before leaving to Hamilton for the final ODI. Speaking on a early start to the season: "We've never played international cricket this early in the season so the conditions will be challenging and it's hard to know how the new ground at (Tauranga's) Bay Oval will shape up. But both teams will be hungry to get their Cricket World Cup preparations off to a good start," the coach said.

New Zealand squad (for the 1st ODI): Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori.