Sodhi hopes to cement spot in ODI squad

Black Caps spinner Ish Sodhi has an eye on the World Cup later this year.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ish Sodhi is hoping to transfer his T20 form into the one day arena.

The former world number one T20 bowler is looking to stake his claim in the 50-over squad for this year’s Cricket World Cup.

Sodhi and the Black Caps have arrived in Pakistan ahead of their ten-match limited overs tour.

With fellow spinners Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner on IPL duty, Sodhi has the opportunity to remind selectors of his credentials in subcontinent conditions ahead of the world cup in India.

“Every cricketer in New Zealand is going to have their eye on the world cup, they’d love to be selected in that 15, it’d be a really exciting tournament to be a part of and so you always want to put your best foot forward when you’re playing ODI cricket.”

The Black Caps take a relatively inexperienced squad to Pakistan, with both Ben Lister and Cole McConchie set to make their 50-over debuts while Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley and Chad Bowes have just nine ODI caps between them.

“There is a lot of excitement being their first tour away and for someone that’s been around for a reasonable period of time, it’s really great to see and it reinforces how much of a privilege is to play for your country.”

The 30-year-old says the likes of himself and Jimmy Neesham, who recently played in the Pakistan Super League, will provide guidance to the younger squad members.

Black Caps spinner Ish Sodhi is among the most experienced Black Caps in Pakistan.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“The side we’ve brought over here is not overly experienced in some of these conditions but there’s a few individuals that have played a lot of cricket in Asia so we can try to spread a bit of knowledge and help those guys that haven’t been here before.”

Sodhi has been in hot white ball form in the past 12 months, claiming 32 wickets at an average of 25 across T20I’s, but has seen limited opportunities in the one day format.

“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to play a bit of a role in the series. Playing the role as a specialist spinner in New Zealand, a lot of times you don’t actually have to play one or two spin bowlers, so I find myself in and out of the sides a lot. Hopefully if I get a chance to play, I can keep performing and keep my spot on the team but it’s just about playing consistent cricket.”

Sodhi says he is gutted to have lost his skipper ahead of the World Cup starting in October.

The Black Caps captain has been ruled out of the global showpiece after he ruptured his ACL during his first match of the Indian Premier League.

Ish Sodhi says Williamson is a vital cog in the side as both a leader and batsman.

“It’s quite unfair but it’s it’s the way sports go sometimes. Kane’s are pretty tough individual. You could sort of tell watching it live that he was in pain, he usually shakes things off pretty quickly but you could tell that it was a little bit more serious, which year was pretty tough to see and I certainly feel for him.”

The Black Caps tour gets underway Saturday morning with the first T20 in Lahore.