Cole McConchie Officially Added to New Zealand's T20 World Cup Squad as Replacement for Injured Michael Bracewell
In a significant development for the New Zealand national cricket team, off-spinning all-rounder Cole McConchie has been officially added to the squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He replaces the injured Michael Bracewell, with the change approved by the Event Technical Committee. McConchie had initially travelled to India as a reserve player before receiving this call-up.
McConchie's Cricket Career and Experience
The Canterbury Kings T20 captain boasts an impressive 14-year career, having played 133 T20 matches, including 12 international appearances for New Zealand. His leadership has been pivotal, guiding his side to six consecutive Super Smash finals. McConchie made his New Zealand debut in 2021 during a series in Bangladesh, where he took seven wickets in a five-match T20 series, finishing as the team's second-highest wicket-taker.
McConchie's Reaction to the Call-Up
The 34-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the squad. "It's pretty surreal to be here," said McConchie. "It doesn't get much better than a World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. You're always striving to wear the fern, and to get the call up is incredibly special. I'm looking forward to contributing in any way I can."
New Zealand's Performance in the Tournament So Far
New Zealand has experienced mixed results in the T20 World Cup group stage:
- They started with a dominant 10-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates.
- In their second match, they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa.
- The team bounced back with a victory over Afghanistan, defending their total through a strong bowling performance to secure their second win of the group stage.
The BlackCaps are set to play their final Group D match against Canada tonight in Chennai at 6:30pm NZT. Fans can stay updated with the latest ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 information, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.
