New Zealand ODI Squad: Duffy Returns, Fisher Gets Maiden Call-Up

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-02

New Zealand Cricket has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies, starting July 11 in Guyana. The series is a crucial preparation step for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Mitchell Santner, the experienced all-rounder, will captain the side throughout the Caribbean tour. The squad includes some notable returns and fresh faces, making this an exciting lineup for fans. ### Jacob Duffy Returns to Black Caps Squad Jacob Duffy is back in the New Zealand pace attack after missing the recent Test series win over England. He took a short break for the birth of his first child. His last appearance for the Black Caps was during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. Duffy's return is a big boost for a bowling group missing several veteran players. He currently holds the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal as New Zealand's reigning player of the year. Head coach Rob Walter called Duffy a stand-out performer across all formats over the last two years. The coaching staff expects him to provide essential leadership and depth to the pace department during the five matches in Guyana and Barbados. ### Matthew Fisher Earns Maiden ODI Call-Up The selectors have also included 26-year-old speedster Matthew Fisher in the 16-man group. This is Fisher's first-ever call-up to the ODI squad. He has played one Test match and one T20 International for New Zealand but has yet to make his debut in the 50-over format. Coach Walter praised Fisher's consistent performances in domestic cricket. He also highlighted Fisher's ability to bowl at a good pace and his commitment to developing different variations for different phases of an innings. The team believes Fisher's adaptability to match situations makes him an important addition. ### Injury Blow for Ben Sears Ben Sears will not travel to the West Indies. He will head home to New Zealand for treatment after feeling pain in his ankle during a four-day Test against Ireland in May. The injury flared up significantly on the final day of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge. Medical staff made the precautionary decision to send Sears back to prevent further damage. It's a disappointment for Sears, who was originally named in the squad following his recent performances against England. ### Ben Lister Named as Replacement Auckland Aces bowler Ben Lister will join the team in Guyana over the next few days to take Sears' place. Lister is an experienced white-ball player who has already represented New Zealand in 17 international matches. He made his ODI debut in 2023 against Pakistan in Karachi and has taken 17 wickets across all formats for the Black Caps. Lister last played for the national team during the ODI series against Bangladesh in April. His left-arm pace brings a different angle to the attack, which could be useful on the Guyana and Barbados pitches. ### Key Takeaways from the Squad Announcement - Jacob Duffy returns as a key pace bowler after a break. - Matthew Fisher gets his first ODI call-up at age 26. - Ben Sears is out due to an ankle injury; Ben Lister replaces him. - Mitchell Santner will captain the side for the entire series. - The series starts July 11 in Guyana, preparing for the 2027 World Cup. This squad blends experience with fresh talent, and it'll be interesting to see how they perform in the Caribbean. The matches will be a good test for New Zealand's depth ahead of the World Cup.