Ross Taylor bids farewell to New Zealand

Ross Taylor approaches international swansong as NZ name experimental squad for Netherlands series

New Zealand news



Hit For Six!
-

Ross Taylor will make his last appearances for New Zealand in international cricket after being named in the Blackcaps squad to take on Netherlands.

ICC SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS

The Dutch touring side will play a one-off T20 international on Friday 25 March before a three-match ODI series that runs into the first week of April.

And the visitors will be the last team to come against New Zealand great Ross Taylor in international cricket, with the 38-year-old handed a chance to say his farewell to the national side on home soil by being selected in the ODI squad.

The experience of Taylor will be a valuable asset for a squad that features some fresh faces due to 12 regular players being unavailable through IPL commitments, with Michael Bracewell and Dane Cleaver in line to make their international debuts.

“Any time you lose 12 front-liners it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re really excited by the players we’ve been able to call on,” coach Gary Stead said.

“With another T20 World Cup later this year and the ODI World Cup next year it’s a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players.”

All-rounder Bracewell has been recalled after being forced to turn down his maiden call-up last year due to the birth of his first child. But the 31-year-old, who topped the seaon's Super Smash scoring charts, is expected to make his debut this time around.

And wicketkeeper Cleaver, who smashed 369 runs to finish second in the Super Smash run-scorers chart behind Bracewell, has been named in the T20 squad.

“Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season,” Stead said of the two potential debutants.

“Michael is a superb ball-striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm off-breaks are an asset to any side.

“Dane, along with Cam Fletcher, has been the stand-out wicket-keeper-batsman of the Dream11 Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane’s consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge.”

Netherlands’ tour of New Zealand fixtures

  • 25 March – T2OI, McLean Park
  • 29 March – 1st ODI, Bay Oval
  • 02 April – 2nd ODI, Seddon Park
  • 04 April – 3rd ODI Seddon Park

BLACKCAPS ODI and T20 squads for KFC Netherland’s Tour

  • Tom Latham (c) (wk)
  • Doug Bracewell
  • Michael Bracewell
  • Mark Chapman
  • Dane Cleaver (wk) – T20 only
  • Colin de Grandhomme
  • Martin Guptill
  • Matt Henry
  • Kyle Jamieson – ODI only
  • Scott Kuggeleijn – T20 only
  • Henry Nicholls – ODI only
  • Ben Sears – T20 only
  • Ish Sodhi
  • Ross Taylor – ODI only
  • Blair Tickner
  • Will Young

 

More News