Cricket: Lockie Ferguson to captain Blackcaps for one-day international series in Bangladesh

Lockie Ferguson will captain New Zealand for the first time.
Lockie Ferguson will captain New Zealand for the first time. Photo credit: Getty Images

Bowler Lockie Ferguson has been named to make his debut as Blackcaps captain for the upcoming three-match one-day international series against Bangladesh.

Ferguson will lead the side in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson - who's still recovering from a knee injury - and vice captain Tom Latham, who'll return to New Zealand to rest before the start of October's ODI World Cup in India and ensuing Bangladesh test series.

Latham is among a host of regulars who'll miss the series to take a break before the start of the World Cup, along with Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee.

Expectant fathers Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham weren't considered for selection, as the tour clashes with the arrival of their first children.

Dean Foxcroft is in line to make his ODI debut.
Dean Foxcroft is in line to make his ODI debut. Photo credit: Photosport

The squad includes one potential debutant, with Dean Foxcroft poised to back up his maiden Twenty20 international against UAE last month with a berth in the one-day XI.

Trent Boult will have another chance to get his rhythm in Bangladesh before the tournament begins, after making his return from a lengthy international hiatus for the one-day series in England.

Coach Gary Stead says the Blackcaps' hectic tour schedule means finding opportunities for rest is critical to the team hitting their stride in India.

"We have a very full schedule between now until the end of our tour to Pakistan in April, including the World Cup and the start of the new World Test Championship cycle, so trying to keep players and staff fresh and ready at the right times is paramount," Stead said.

"Balancing workloads also provides opportunities, and it's exciting to have different players in the group and learning in an environment like Bangladesh. 

"It can be a challenging place to tour and getting used to different conditions quickly will be important over the next few months."

Ferguson's promotion is an ideal chance for the bowler to showcase his abilities as a leader, Stead added.

"Lockie is an experienced bowler at the international level and this is an opportunity for him to really lead from the front, with not just the bowling group, but the team as a whole," he said. 

"He stepped into the role for the warm-up matches in England and led a group with a lot of moving parts well."

The Blackcaps head to Bangladesh, after completing the T20 and following ODI series in England.

The first ODI takes place at Dhaka on September 21.

Blackcaps ODI squad for Bangladesh: Lockie Ferguson (captain), Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Dean Foxcroft, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Trent Boult

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