New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the team’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka with Mitchell Santner named the interim captain. The 15-member squad bowling-allrounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batsman Mitch Hay being called up for the first time.
New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been named interim captain for their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced their 15-member squad on Tuesday, October 22. The cricket board also announced that a decision on their long-term ODI and T20I captain will be taken in the coming months.
Mitchell Santner set to lead New Zealand in ODI and T20I white ball series vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner has captained New Zealand in one ODI against Scotland way back in 2022 which they won by seven wickets. Apart from that, Mitchell Santner has also led the team in 22 T20Is and won 12 out of those. The Blackcaps have also handed maiden national call-ups to bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay.
Smith had been knocking on the doors of the selectors with his exploits in domestic cricket. He was recently awarded NZC’s Men’s Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in March and earned his first central contract in September.
On the other hand, Mitchell Hay made his New Zealand A debut in 2023 and was named Canterbury’s Male Player of the Year back in April. The squad also includes six players currently playing in the Test series against India namely Will Young, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy and Glenn Phillips. The cricket board also announced that a decision on their long-term ODI and T20I captain will be taken in the coming months.
New Zealand squad for SL ODIs and T20I series
New Zealand announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka on Tuesday, October 22. The Black Caps will play two T20Is and three ODIs against the Lankans from November 9 to 19.
New Zealand will play with the same squad for both the ODIs and T20Is with spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner leading the team. He will be the interim captain as the Kiwis look to confirm their permanent white-ball skipper during the home summer.
Bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay have earned their maiden call-up to the national squad, thanks to consistent domestic performances over the past year.
New Zealand selector Sam Wells congratulated the duo on their maiden call-ups with a statement to nzc.nz:
“It’s a special moment for any player to be selected for the BLACKCAPS for the first time. Nathan and Mitch have demanded selection through weight of performance and I am sure they will be looking forward to showcasing their skills on the international stage.”
He added:
“Nathan’s led the Wellington attack with distinction for a number of year across all three formats and we are excited about his potential with the bat. Mitch has been one of the standout domestic players over the past few seasons and brings all-round ability with the both bat and gloves. He’s a very organized batsman and has displayed good power in the white ball formats.”
Apart from Santner, New Zealand’s spin department will be aided by Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and the most experienced player in this squad, Ish Sodhi.
Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson will spearhead the pace attack with Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes.
Wells highlighted the importance of identifying depth during the Sri Lanka tour. He said:
“This tour is the beginning of the build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025 and we also have an eye towards the 2027 one-day Cricket World Cup. Building depth is of critical important due to the demands of the international schedule and the need to peak for pinnacle events. For that reason it’s particularly exciting to include a number of players that we believe represent the future of the Blackcaps.”
New Zealand have not played a single ODI game this year and their last T20I assignment was the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA that ended in a disappointing first-round exit. They are currently playing a three-Test series in India and won the opening encounter by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead.
Michael Bracewell to join team from New Zealand
All six members will fly to Sri Lanka after the third Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Michael Bracewell will join the squad from New Zealand after he returned from India ahead of the Test series for the birth of his second child. New Zealand will play two T20Is and three ODIs in Sri Lanka beginning from November 9.
New Zealand Cricket also informed that Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson were not considered for selection due to the upcoming three-Test series against England, starting in Christchurch on November 28.
New Zealand ODI and T20I squad for Sri Lanka tour
Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk.), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young.