Blackcaps return to Aotearoa with an ODI series against Bangladesh starting on Sunday. As is always the case for random ODI/T20I series, the depth of Aotearoa cricket is on display in how this little nation can roll out a competitive ODI squad with another team full of the best cricketers taking a break. Here is how the 1st 11 of players unavailable could look...

Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson.

That team does not include Trent Boult, Neil Wagner or Ben Lister. Boult's doing his thing, Wagner's not a contender for Blackcaps ODI mahi and Lister is building his way into steady ODI opportunities. All three are lefties though and while there is no lefty seamer in the ODI squad to face Bangladesh, there are lads like Lister and Central Districts' Ray Toole cooking in domestic cricket.

Josh Clarkson and Will O'Rourke are notable inclusions, so is Adithya Ashok who will slot in for the second and third ODIs, replacing Ish Sodhi. Ashok is an emerging leggy and has already been around the Blackcaps group. Clarkson is a powerful hitter and tidy seamer, who delivered championship mana for CD in Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield. O'Rourke is one of the best seam prospects in Aotearoa right now and along with Shipley, they lead the quirky/unique crop of young seamers who impress in domestic cricket.

Will O'Rourke 3 wickets vs Wellington #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/vXyj1DV16C
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 7, 2023

Will O'Rourke 3 wickets vs Auckland #PlunketShield pic.twitter.com/wGX7h92Jfi
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) November 16, 2023

Josh Clarkson's 79 runs @ 118sr vs Auckland.

4 scores over 50 in his last 4 games.#PlunketShield pic.twitter.com/BJAT23qeOt
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) April 3, 2023

Josh Clarkson destroying stumps with his new Blackcaps powers #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/V13BArfQqc
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 7, 2023

Adi Ashok vs Brett Hampton ft. staunch Ashok #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/UdvxoGQbSB
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 8, 2023

28 players have played ODI cricket this year. This includes Dean Foxcroft who played in Bangladesh prior to the World Cup and does not include Clarkson, O'Rourke or Ashok. Blackcaps will probably hit the 30-player mark in this series highlighting Aotearoa's depth of cricketers who can command more game time or at least plug a hole.

Building this depth and winning ODIs is difficult to do at the same time. Blackcaps have also pivoted slightly after losing veterans like Luteru Taylor, Martin Guptill and Colin de Grandhomme from the 2022 ODI mixer. All of which frames how their last two year of ODI cricket have played out and despite a losing record this year, Blackcaps are fresh off their fifth World Cup semi-final in a row.

2022 ODIs: 10-4
2023 ODIs: 13-16

Blackcaps in 2023 ODIs who are in squad vs Bangladesh...