England and New Zealand set for ODI series with Stokes back and Brook debate a major subplot
The HinduEngland and New Zealand are preparing to meet on the one-day international stage for the first time since their wild, never-to-be-forgotten Cricket World Cup final more than four years ago. In a surprise selection, Brook — one of England’s most explosive batters — was left out of the provisional 15-man squad for the World Cup that was announced in mid-August. I’m sure a lot of final decisions will potentially be made around some of the form that the lads show in the series.” Stokes hasn’t played since the Ashes and therefore since he was enticed back to ODIs by the prospect of winning back-to-back World Cups, having played a huge role in that victory over New Zealand at Lord’s four years ago. “The closer and closer it got,” he said, “I started thinking differently about, and going to India and trying to defend the World Cup was obviously a big reason for saying I’m available for selection.” New Zealand doesn’t name its World Cup squad until Monday, and the team had good news this week when captain Kane Williamson was declared fit enough to be included after injuring his knee in the Indian Premier League.