Kiwis put big spin on squad

New Zealand have included three spin options in their squad for the World Twenty20 cricket championship in Bangladesh.

Left-armers Ronnie Hira and Anton Devcich, and right-armer Kane Williamson, who is also adept at playing against spin, have been included to a 15-man squad for the tournament.

Also selected is pacemen Trent Boult, who missed New Zealand's shorter format matches over the summer because of a quad strain.

New Zealand Cricket national selection general manager Bruce Edgar says spinners will play a major role in the tournament in March and April.

"As we saw when the Black Caps toured Bangladesh in October, the pitches will be slow and likely to turn," he said.

"Consequently, we were looking for batsmen who can play spin well, as well as some more spin bowling options."

Edgar said Devcich, who has represented New Zealand in both short formats, also offered top and middle order batting options.

He said Hira, who has 15 T20 internationals to his name, was an experienced T20 bowler and an excellent fieldsman.

As expected, opener Jesse Ryder is missing from the squad after recent off-field incidents.

Seamers Adam Milne (abdominal) and Matt Henry (adductor) were not available for selection because of injury.

The Black Caps leave on March 8 for a camp in Abu Dhabi, where they will play warm-up fixtures against Worcestershire.

In Bangladesh, they will have pre-tournament matches against Pakistan and Australia.

They begin their World T20 campaign on March 23 (NZT) against England at Chittagong.

Their other pool matches are against South Africa, a qualifier and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand squad for the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.