The New Zealand cricket team has unveiled its squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of India in January next year, featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh faces. The announcement brings significant news, including a maiden international call-up for a promising spinner and the notable absence of a key batsman due to franchise commitments.
New Faces and Leadership Changes
Left-arm orthodox spinner Jayden Lennox is the standout new selection, earning his first-ever call-up to the national side for the ODI leg of the tour. Head coach Rob Walter praised Lennox's consistent domestic performances and his progression through New Zealand's high-performance pathway.
In a major development, star batsman Kane Williamson will be unavailable for the three-match ODI series as he will be fulfilling his commitments in South Africa's SA20 league. His absence shifts the leadership dynamic for the Black Caps.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell will captain the ODI team in the absence of regular leaders. He will be supported by an experienced group including Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, and Henry Nicholls. For the T20 Internationals, Mitchell Santner returns from injury to lead the side, marking a crucial step in his recovery from a groin issue.
Key Returns and Squad Composition
The squads see the welcome return of pace bowler Kyle Jamieson, who is included in both the ODI and T20I teams. Santner, however, is being managed carefully and is named only in the T20I squad as part of his structured return-to-play plan.
Several other players are making comebacks. In the T20I setup, Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson return following impressive domestic form. All-rounder James Neesham and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also find their way back into the T20 squad.
The selection panel has also rewarded recent domestic performers. Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy, both newly contracted for the Indian Premier League (IPL), have been included after strong showings in the home summer.
Notable Absences and Player Management
Alongside Williamson, a few other key players will miss parts of the tour. Test captain Tom Latham will stay in New Zealand for the birth of his third child and is absent from the ODI series. Frontline seamer Matt Henry continues his rehabilitation from a calf tear and misses the ODIs but is named in the T20I squad.
Several players involved in franchise tournaments will join the squad directly in India. Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Finn Allen, and Tim Seifert will link up with the team after their franchise duties conclude, aiming to feature in the latter stages of the five-match T20I series.
The selectors confirmed that Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, and Mark Chapman were not considered for ODI selection due to ongoing injury recovery plans. Chapman is expected to be fit for the T20I series.
New Zealand ODI Squad: Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young.
New Zealand T20I Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi.
The tour, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, serves as vital preparation for New Zealand ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled for February.
