McCullum - leading the side in Taylor's absence.

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Black Caps stick with winning formula

New Zealand have confirmed that the current 14-player Twenty20 squad that is playing against Zimbabwe will be retained for the first two matches of the National Bank Series against South Africa.

The Black Caps breezed to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 clash on Saturday, and will coast from Tuesday’s second match straight into the first T20 against South Africa on Friday with little turnaround time.

The selectors have therefore opted for continuity, with Brendon McCullum continuing to lead the side in the absence of Ross Taylor.

Friday’s match against the Proteas will take place in Weillington, and will be followed two days later by a game in Hamilton and a final clash in Auckland on February 22.

New Zealand squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Colin de Grandhomme, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson.