New Zealand have finalized a 15-member squad led by Mitchell Santner for the three-match T20I series against India in January-February. Left-arm pacer Ben Lister, who was named Auckland Cricket’s Men’s Bowler of the Year last season, has earned a maiden call-up to the squad, the same from last year’s T20 World Cup. Takes shape, consisting of nine players. that unit.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Michael Rippon has returned to the setup following his debut against Scotland, while the touring party also includes all-rounder Henry Shipley, who recently made his international debut in the first ODI of the ongoing series against Pakistan .
Meanwhile, there are a number of notable absentees due to a combination of rest and injuries: regular captains Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have been rested, while Kyle Jamieson (back), Matt Henry (abdomen), Adam Milne (side) and Ben Sears (back) ) Due to injuries not named.
In Williamson’s absence, Santner – no stranger to leadership, has led New Zealand to victory in eight out of 10 T20Is. “Mitch is a leader in our white ball teams and has previously captained the T20 team in India. His experience in Indian conditions will be invaluable to lead this group,” chief selector Gavin Larsen said of Santner.
Our T20 team to face India in 3 T20 matches starting in Ranchi later this month! Congratulations to @aucklandcricketBen Lister and @canterburycrickK Henry Shipley on being selected in the Blackcaps T20 squad for the first time. more | https://t.co/bwMhO2Zb76 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/jFpWbGPtGx
— BlackCaps (@BlackCaps) January 12, 2023
Larsen also spoke highly of potential debutant Lister, whose last tour with the A team to these shores of the world was cut short by illness. “Ben has made an exciting impact for Auckland early in his career in red and white ball cricket. Since his debut in late 2017, he is the leading wicket-taker for the Aces in T20 and List A cricket. As a left-handed batsman, his ability to swing the ball a lot is particularly exciting.
We all felt for Ben after his tour ended like last year, and it is a testament to his work ethic that he has been able to come back to domestic cricket so strongly this season.”
New Zealand will play India in three ODIs and as many T20 matches, in that order as the tour begins in Hyderabad on 18 January, followed by matches in Raipur and Indore on 21 and 24 January. T20 will be played in Ranchi. , Lucknow and Ahmedabad on 27 January, 29 and 1 February respectively.
New Zealand squad for India T20 series is as follows: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner
