New Zealand have named a 16-member squad for their five-match T20I series against India. In addition, experienced fast bowler Adam Milne and all-rounder Michael Bracewell return after injury layoffs.
Rachin Ravindra is the major absentee after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot last week. Moreover, New Zealand Cricket expects the all-rounder to undergo around six weeks of rehabilitation, with the team targeting his return for the ODI leg of India’s tour.
Mitchell Santner will captain New Zealand in the T20I series, which begins on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The five matches will be played across four cities over 11 days.
Milne Returns After More Than a Year
Milne returns to the New Zealand squad after more than a year away from international cricket.
The 34-year-old last represented the Black Caps against Zimbabwe and missed this year’s T20 World Cup because of injury. He brings considerable T20 experience to the squad, having played 56 T20Is for New Zealand.
His return gives Santner another experienced pace option for a series against the current T20 world champions.
Milne will join Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy in the pace group.
Young fast bowlers Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith are also included, giving New Zealand seven frontline pace options.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said the depth would allow the team to manage workloads during a busy period of international cricket.
“Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months,” Walter said.
Bracewell Returns to the Squad
Michael Bracewell also returns after missing the T20 World Cup because of injury.
The spin-bowling all-rounder adds another option to New Zealand’s middle order and bowling attack.
He is among 13 players from the squad that reached the T20 World Cup final. These 13 players have been retained for the India series.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are also set to reunite at the top of the New Zealand batting order.
The pair previously opened together during the team’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Allen was one of New Zealand’s key performers during the tournament. For example, he had an unbeaten century in the semi-final against South Africa.
Seifert also made a significant contribution during the team’s run to the final.
Ravindra Ruled Out
Ravindra’s absence is the biggest change from New Zealand’s recent T20I setup. The 26-year-old suffered a right shoulder dislocation during a promotional shoot in Auckland.
New Zealand Cricket said the initial medical assessments found no major structural damage. However, his return would depend on his rehabilitation.
The selectors have now ruled him out of the five-match T20I series.
Walter said the team was disappointed by the injury but did not want Ravindra to rush his recovery.
“We’re gutted for Rachin,” Walter said. He added that the team remained optimistic about having him available for the ODIs.
The three-match ODI series begins on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland.
Ravindra had an important role during New Zealand’s recent T20 World Cup campaign.
His absence means New Zealand will need to adjust both their batting options and their use of left-arm spin.
India Series Begins October 22
The first T20I will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22.
The second T20I will also take place in Christchurch on October 24. After that, the teams travel to Wellington for the third match on October 27.
The fourth T20I is scheduled for Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. Finally, the last match will be at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1.
The series will be the first meeting between the two sides since the T20 World Cup final in March. Back then, India defeated New Zealand.
New Zealand will therefore enter the home series with a squad containing most of the players from its World Cup campaign. In addition, they are also adding the returning Milne and Bracewell.
New Zealand T20I Squad
Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert and Nathan Smith.
The squad gives New Zealand a mix of established international players, returning members and younger options ahead of the five-match series.
For India, the series will provide the first T20I challenge of the New Zealand tour. Afterward, the two teams move into the ODI and Test portions of the schedule.
With Ravindra unavailable for the opening leg and Milne returning after an extended absence, New Zealand’s squad selection has already added two significant storylines. These will shape the series that begins next month.
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