New Zealand's World Cup roster gets a boost from Williamson and Southee.

Tim Southee and Kane Williamson were added to an experienced New Zealand team on Monday in preparation for the 50-over World Cup in India the following month.

 

Despite still trying to regain his fitness following a serious knee injury in April of last year, Williamson will captain the Black Caps.

The 33-year-old was named player of the tournament after leading New Zealand in their thrilling loss to England in the 2019 World Cup final.

Williamson has more than 6,500 runs in one-day international cricket, so his return to the crease will help the Black Caps.

It's uncertain whether Williamson will be ready for New Zealand's opening World Cup match against England on October 5 in Ahmedabad, according to coach Gary Stead.

Stead informed reporters on Monday, "We haven't put a date on whether he will be available for that first game or not."

"He is making every effort to ensure that happens, but it's still three or four weeks away and time will tell a little bit closer."

Together with Trent Boult, one of the top ODI seamers in the world, Southee, the captain of New Zealand during Test matches, spearheads a potent bowling attack.

Boult returned to the Black Caps by taking three wickets in Sunday's 79-run defeat to England when he knocked the top off the hosts' batting line-up on his 100th ODI appearance, his first for nearly a year.

"He's a real weapon for us with the new ball. It was very pleasing to see," Stead said of Boult's bowling performance to dismiss England's Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

All-rounder James Neesham, who came within a whisker of glory for New Zealand when the 2019 World Cup final was settled by a tense Super Over, also mades the 15-man side.

Only six of the squad will be playing at their first ODI World Cup, while this will be their fourth for both Southee and Williamson.

New Zealand squad:

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young