WELLINGTON: Batsman Neil Broom has been recalled to the New Zealand cricket team after a six-year absence for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, beginning on December 26.

Broom played the most recent of his 22 one-day internationals for New Zealand against Australia in March 2010 and has only averaged around 17 in his international career to date.

He has been a consistent performer over 12 years in New Zealand's domestic one-day competition in which he averages 38.61 with seven centuries. Broom played for Derbyshire in England's county competition last year but has foregone the second year of that contract.

"I appreciate everything Derbyshire have done for me and have really enjoyed my time with the club," Broom said. "At the end of the day I couldn't pass up the opportunity to represent New Zealand and am excited about the opportunity to play international cricket again. It's the ultimate."

Broom will take the middle-order batting position previously occupied by Henry Nicholls, who has been dropped along with wicketkeeper B.J. Watling and spinner Todd Astle.

Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi returns to the team in place of Watling in another attempt to stiffen a batting lineup which failed in the recent Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against Australia. New Zealand lost that series 3-0 as its batsmen failed in each match to chase down substantial Australian totals.

The batting lineup still appears weak in the absence of veteran Ross Taylor, who has recently undergone eye surgery.

Seletor Gavin Larsen said Broom and Ronchi added strength to the New Zealand squad.

"With 12 years of domestic cricket under his belt and having previously spent time in the Black Caps squad, Neil brings a lot of experience to the group," Larsen said. "Neil was the top run-scorer in the Ford Trophy (domestic one-day) competition last year with an average of 84.66.

"He has an impressive strike rate and obviously fills the No. 4 role with Ross out injured.

"It's been pleasing to see Luke scoring runs for Wellington again and he returns as one one of the most experienced members of the squad. At this stage we see him as the best ODI gloveman in the country and the leadership he brings to the group is also immensely valuable."

Larsen said the New Zealand team was in a rebuilding phase.

"There's six players in this side from the squad of 15 who featured for us in the World Cup last year so it's important we give the new players the opportunity to feel comfortable on the international stage," he said.

"That takes time. You can't replace 900 ODI caps and the leadership that comes with that experience overnight but it's an exciting new group and we're learning a lot with each match that is played.

"Although the side is rebuilding, it's very important that we do see improvements during the home summer."

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee.