New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming T20Is against UAE and England. They also announced the squad for the four-match ODI series against England, starting from September 08 at Cardiff. Trent Boult is back in the ODI unit as New Zealand looks to set their combination before the much-awaited ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India later this year.
New Zealand’s Tour of UAE
First, the New Zealand cricket team will travel to UAE (United Arab Emirates) to play three-match T20I series against them. The series will commence on August 17 in Dubai.
The next two T20Is will be played on August 19 and 20 at the same venue. All the games will start at 6:00 PM local time.
A squad full of fringe players
Most of the squad for the three T20I against UAE are of fringe players, who haven’t played for New Zealand or haven’t played much.
Jamieson is also back in the squad
Kyle Jamieson is also back in the New Zealand cricket team after a back injury. He last played for NZ in June 2022. After that, he missed so much action in between.
“We’re delighted to include Kyle in this squad alongside his earlier selection for the T20 squads to play the UAE and England. He’s been working extremely hard on his rehabilitation following back surgery, and we’re looking forward to seeing him back playing on the international stage.“- New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.
Tim Southee will lead the T20I side in UAE and in England.
New Zealand Cricket Team squad for UAE T20Is:-
Tim Southee (c), Adi Ashok, Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner, Will Young
New Zealand tour of England
After the three T20Is, New Zealand will go to England to play 4 T20Is and 4 ODIs against them. The T20Is will start on August 30 at Chester-le-Street.
Manchester, Birmingham, and Nottingham will host the next three T20Is on September 01, 03, and 05.
New Zealand will play with a full-strength squad in the 4 T20Is against England. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson joined their respective teams in ‘The Hundred’ tournament between UAE and England T20Is.
New Zealand squad for the England T20Is:-
Tim Southee (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
The main focus will be on ODIs
The New Zealand cricket team’s main focus will be on the 4 ODIs against England starting on September 08. It will be their last chance to play a strong opposition in the ODIs before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. It will be a good test and game time for NZ.
Boult is back in ODIs
After almost a year, Trent Boult is back in New Zealand colors. He left New Zealand’s annual contract to play in different leagues. But as the time for the WC comes, team management brings him back for the England ODIs before the WC 2023. And it is expected as well as Trent Boult is one of the best bowlers for New Zealand over the years. His ability to swing the new ball always helps the team to make early inroads during the opposition’s inning.
Surely he will play for New Zealand in the ODI WC this year.
Boult on his comeback
“I’ve always had it in my mind to come back, and working towards an ODI World Cup, with the history involved there and the times that we’ve had in previous campaigns have been very exciting. So just hungry to get involved and hopefully play a big role, just thinking about hopefully lifting something pretty shiny that we were pretty close to four years ago.” – Boult said.
Boult also talks about his decision on leaving the national contract. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make a year ago… to move away from the New Zealand Cricket bubble.” – Boult added.
Neesham, Chapman, and Sodhi to miss the ODIs
James Neesham and Mark Chapman will miss the ODI series. They will head back home to be with their wives. Both their wives are expecting their first child. Ish Sodhi will also miss the ODIs to spend some time with family before the power pack schedule ahead.
Tom Lathom will lead the side in the absence of Kane Williamson in ODIs.
NZ ODI squad:-
Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Will Young
Williamson will travel with the team
Kane Williamson will travel with the team and continue his rehab there. He got injured this year while playing the IPL 2023 opener against CSK.
It will be a good boost for New Zealand if Williamson will be back for WC. Thank you for reading. Keep following us for the latest updates.
