WELLINGTON: Batsman Ross Taylor was appointed New Zealand cricket captain Tuesday, replacing spin bowler Daniel Vettori, who stepped down in March after the World Cup. Taylor served as vice captain under Vettori and his appointment was widely expected, with wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum seen as his main rival for the skipper's position. The 27-year-old said he was humbled by the appointment and believed New Zealand had the talent to be a force in world cricket. “I've learnt a great deal about leadership having played under Dan Vettori and feel ready to take on what is one of the highest honors in New Zealand sport,” he said. “I'm looking forward to the challenge and appreciate the level of responsibility that comes with captaining your country.” Taylor has played 30 Tests, with an average of 41.12, and 107 one-day internationals, averaging 36.8. New Zealand Cricket said Black Caps coach John Wright, director of cricket John Buchanan and acting selection manager Mark Greatbatch had all backed Taylor's appointment. “The process to select the captain has been robust,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. “We wanted to make sure the right people were involved and that we appointed the right man for the job — I'm sure we have done that.” Collingwood, Prior dropped Former captain Paul Collingwood and wicketkeeper Matt Prior have been dropped from England's squads for upcoming one-day and Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Tuesday. Wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter and all-rounder Samit Patel have been recalled for both squads while fast bowler Steven Finn is also a surprise selection. Collingwood, who retired from Test cricket at the start of the year, is England's most capped one-day player but has been out with a knee injury. Kieswetter's return at the expense of Prior had been widely expected as England's Test keeper has struggled to reproduce his best form in the limited-overs game. “Paul Collingwood has been an inspirational limited-overs cricketer for England over many years and we still see a role for him in this capacity based on form and fitness,” national selector Geoff Miller said in a statement. “His omission is purely down to form over a period of time.” Bowler James Anderson has retained his place. England plays a solitary T20 against Sri Lanka on June 25 before embarking on a five-match one-day series starting June 28. Twenty20 squad: Stuart Broad (captain), Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Chris Woakes, Luke Wright One-day squad: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes
