The men’s team for New Zealand Cricket (NZC) forthcoming’s T20I series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka was unveiled on Sunday. Tom Latham, the team’s wicketkeeper and hitter, has returned after his previous appearance in the shortest format in 2021.
Regulars like captain Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, and Lockie Ferguson were passed over because they have already been given the go-ahead to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), which will begin on March 31.
Two uncapped players, Chad Bowes and Henry Shipley, are part of the T20I teams.
Interestingly, Bowes was chosen after making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in the Auckland ODI, while Shipley was a member of the T20I team that visited India earlier this year.
James Neesham, an experienced all-rounder, has also rejoined the T20 team. Neesham was granted permission to participate in the SA20 and Pakistan Super League (PSL), hence he missed the series against India and the ODIs against Sri Lanka at home.
Tim Siefert was selected for the T20 squad for the domestic series against the Islanders, but he won’t be travelling with the team to Pakistan because he and his wife are expecting their first child.
In the battle with the Men in Green, Dane Cleaver, Cole McConchie, and Blair Tickner will also be present.
“We saw against India earlier this season the power and range of shots that Tom possesses. His adaptability also means he can feature in a range of batting positions. He led an inexperienced T20 squad to Bangladesh in 2021, and we were really impressed with his leadership of that group during a COVID bubble tour.
Players like Tim and Cole haven’t been around the squad for a little while, and I am sure they will bring good energy when they are involved. They have both earned their selection with strong domestic form this season,” said Black Caps head coach Gary Stead as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
New Zealand Announced T20I Squad Against Pakistan
Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Dane Cleaver, Cole McConchie, Blair Tickner are in T20I series squad.
Tom Latham will return to international T20 action for the first time since 2021 to lead the BLACKCAPS T20 sides against Sri Lanka (home) and Pakistan (away). More | https://t.co/jzxlGum5JK #NZvSL #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/DNd31LkdKe
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 26, 2023
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