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REUTERS: Former test captain Daniel Vettori and top order batsman Martin Guptill have been recalled for New Zealand’s tour of England in May and June after recovering from injury.
Vettori, who has been battling a long-term Achilles injury, was included in the one-day squad that will also contest the one-day Champions Trophy in June but not the test side.
The 34-year-old retired from limited-overs cricket following the 2011 World Cup in a bid to prolong his test career but subsequently made himself available for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, having not played the shortest form of the game at international level for more than two years.
Vettori’s last one-day international was against Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup. He will play in the lucrative Twenty20 IPL competition in India before joining the New Zealand one-day side, which will assemble for three matches against England beginning on 31 May and then play the Champions Trophy from 9 June.
Guptill is recalled to the test and one-day squads after recovering from the thumb injury that forced him to miss the recent three-test series against England, which finished 0-0 after a thrilling final day last week.
An aggressive opening batsman, Guptill has performed well in limited-overs cricket but struggled at the top of the order in the longer form against the major nations.With the emergence of Hamish Rutherford and resurgence of Peter Fulton in the England test series, Guptill could be forced to re-establish his test career from the middle order, possibly battling with Dean Brownlie for the role at number five.
“Martin has proven himself to be a world-class performer before, and were thrilled to have back in the side,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said in a statement.
“He’s worked hard on his rehab to make sure he’s fit and we know he’s eager to get out and represent his country again.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi, who was born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, has been included in the one-day side.
Ronchi played four one-day internationals for Australia in 2008 but returned to his place of birth in 2012 to try to make the New Zealand team.
Wellington pace bowler Mark Gillespie, who was not considered for the recent England series, was recalled to the test squad after a strong first-class season for Wellington.
“Mark has been dominant in the domestic competitions this season and fully deserves his spot in the test side,” Hesson added.
“He finished the equal top wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield this season and knows the international scene well, so we know he has the ability.”
Left-arm pace bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who impressed in the limited-over games against England before being ruled out with a side strain, has recovered to be included in the one-day squad.
