Former captain Ross Taylor returns to New Zealand squad for series against England

Taylor will return to the Black Caps' Twenty20 and one-day international squads for the first time since being deposed as captain last year.

Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor.

England will face destructive batsman Ross Taylor in both their forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day international series against New Zealand.

The former New Zealand captain was recalled to the squads for the limited overs series against England for the first time since being axed as skipper last year.

Taylor did not tour South Africa after being dumped by Mike Hesson after the tour of Sri Lanka, an incident which prompted a credibility crisis for New Zealand Cricket, but has apparently re-established a working replacement with the coach.

The aggressive 28-year-old right-hander has only recently returned to first class cricket for Central Districts.

"Ross is a world class batsman who is a key part of this Black Caps side," Hesson said in a statement.

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford, who had a strong domestic Twenty20 competition, is the only uncapped player in the squads, while all-rounder Andrew Ellis returns to both after missing the South African tour with injury.

"There are a couple of changes that have been forced through injury but essentially we want to be seen to provide continuity from one series to the next," chief selector Kim Littlejohn said.

"We are however looking at developing talented youngsters and finding a new crop of all-rounders in our build-up to the Champions Trophy in June and the 2015 Cricket World Cup."

England begin their tour on Feb. 4 with a Twenty20 match in Whangarei against a New Zealand XI. The first Twenty20 international is in Auckland on Feb. 9.

Twenty20 squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Ian Butler, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.

One day squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

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