New Zealand Cricket have named a strong and experienced 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. Mitchell Santner will lead the team, which features Jacob Duffy, for whom it will be a first 20-over World Cup.
Duffy, a former number-one-ranked bowler, will bolster the fast-bowling attack, which includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne. Ferguson and Henry are anticipating the arrival of their children and will therefore be given short-term paternity leave.
“With Ferguson’s and Henry’s partners due to give birth during the tournament period, it is likely they will be granted short-term paternity leave,” NZC said.
Kyle Jamieson will travel with the team as a reserve player. Among those who missed out on selection are Ben Sears, Tim Robinson, Zakary Foulkes and Bevon Jacobs.
“World Cups are special, and there are few better places to play one than in India, which is very much the heartbeat of the modern game. I’m really happy with the skills and experience of this squad, and I think we have a group that can make New Zealand proud,” said head coach Rob Walter.
Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham are the all-rounders selected for the event in the subcontinent.
Ish Sodhi is the lone specialist spinner in the squad.
“We’ve got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions, plus five all-rounders who all bring something slightly different. This is an experienced group, and the players are no strangers to playing in the subcontinent, which will be valuable,” he added.
New Zealand, who are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa and the UAE, will begin their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against Afghanistan.
New Zealand ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad:
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi
Travelling reserve: Kyle Jamieson
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