Mitchell Santner returns to captain the side, while New Zealand use the five-match ODI series to test combinations ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

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New Zealand have named an exciting 16-member squad for their upcoming five-match ODI series against the West Indies, with fast bowler Matthew Fisher in line to make his One-Day International debut. The series, which begins on July 11 in Guyana, marks the start of New Zealand’s long-term planning for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in southern Africa.

Regular ODI captain Mitchell Santner returns to lead the Black Caps after missing the Bangladesh series due to his IPL commitments. Santner replaces Tom Latham, who captained a second-string New Zealand side during their 2-1 series defeat in Bangladesh earlier this year.

The squad also welcomes back several first-choice players, including Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, and Jacob Duffy. Duffy returns after missing the recent Test series in England while on paternity leave, while wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay rejoins the squad as backup to Latham following Devon Conway’s decision to skip the tour after the birth of his second child.

New Zealand’s selectors have rested senior pace trio Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Will O’Rourke following their heavy workloads during the England Test series. Meanwhile, Blair Tickner has been ruled out as he prepares to undergo ankle surgery. Young talents Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, and Tickner have all been omitted from the squad that toured Bangladesh.

Top-order batter Rachin Ravindra will also miss the Caribbean tour after a pre-arranged agreement with New Zealand Cricket to participate in Major League Cricket (MLC).

Head selector Gavin Larsen made it clear that the upcoming ODI assignments against West Indies, India, and Sri Lanka will play a crucial role in shaping New Zealand’s squad for the 2027 World Cup.

“We’ve got the 2027 World Cup in our sights, and with limited ODI cricket between now and then, every opportunity becomes important,” Larsen said. He added that the management intends to give most players in the squad game time as they evaluate combinations and build the strongest possible squad for the global tournament.

Larsen also highlighted the importance of head coach Rob Walter’s South African experience, believing his knowledge of local conditions could prove valuable while planning for the World Cup.

One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Matthew Fisher, who has impressed selectors despite battling injuries over the past few years. Larsen described the fast bowler as someone who has been on New Zealand’s radar for a long time and expressed delight that Fisher is now fully fit and ready to compete at the international level.

All-rounder Kristian Clarke has also earned praise for his rapid development and is expected to get valuable opportunities during the series.

Returning seamer Jacob Duffy admitted that securing a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad remains one of his biggest career goals. The pacer believes the journey towards the 2027 tournament effectively begins with the West Indies series, making every performance crucial in the race for selection.

The ODI series will begin with the first three matches in Providence, Guyana, on July 11, 13, and 16, before the final two fixtures move to Kensington Oval, Barbados, on July 19 and 21.

New Zealand ODI Squad vs West Indies

Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young.