New Zealand call up Brett Randell for ODI debut against India

New Zealand have called up pacer Brett Randell for his international debut in the final two one-day internationals against India on Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

The 31-year-old has performed consistently in domestic cricket and for New Zealand A in recent times, and he has been named for the fourth and fifth matches of the series.

India lead the series 2-0 after two completed matches, with the third match in Hamilton ending without a result.

All-rounder Josh Clarkson has also been added to the squad for the last two games.

New Zealand are dealing with injury concerns to several key players, including pacers Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner.

A number of the team's red-ball players are also preparing for the upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship series against India.

New Zealand coach Rob Walter said Randell had earned his first call-up and was likely to perform well if selected.

"We're very pleased for Brett," Walter said.

Walter said the squad had seen several changes during the series, which made it possible to bring in both Randell and Clarkson.

"The weather looks promising this weekend, so hopefully we'll get to end the series on a high," Walter said.

The fourth ODI is scheduled for Nov. 13 in Mount Maunganui, while the first match in Auckland on Nov. 4 was won by India by five wickets under the DLS method.

India also won the second match in Wellington on Nov. 7 by four runs under the DLS method.

Mitchell Santner will captain the side in both matches, and the ICC noted that he was the pick of New Zealand's bowlers at the World Cup.

Debuts at this level often follow sustained form in domestic competitions, and squad changes are common when players are sidelined by injury during a busy international calendar.