Returning pacers boost New Zealand squad for Australia T20Is
Quicks Kyle Jameison and Ben Sears are back in the New Zealand squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
New Zealand have been bolstered by the returns of Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears for the upcoming T20I series against Australia.
The pace duo were not part of the Black Caps squad for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, which also featured South Africa. While Jamieson had missed on the series for the birth of his first child, Sears was out of action owing to an injury.
Their returns significantly strengthen New Zealand’s pace battery, pairing them up with ICC No.1 Ranked T20I Bowler Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes for the prestigious Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell will lead the team in the three-match T20I series in the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out following an abdominal surgery.
New Zealand Squad :
Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
Kyle Jamieson: New Zealand's fast-bowling giant
Bracewell has led the Black Caps in 10 T20I fixtures so far, winning on six occasions. His most recent assignment as skipper saw New Zealand clinch a 4-1 series win against Pakistan at home back in March.
“The Chappell-Hadlee Series is a great way to start the summer,” Bracewell told New Zealand Cricket.
“I grew up watching those series and the rivalry is massive between New Zealand and Australia.
“Since 2016 it [the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy] hasn’t been with us, and that’s something we want to change. Having the opportunity to fight for that on home soil is pretty special.”
Bracewell rams through Bangladesh top-order to restrict them to 236/9 | BAN v NZ | Champions Trophy
Bracewell rams through Bangladesh top-order to restrict them to 236/9 | BAN v NZ | Champions Trophy
The series between the trans-Tasman rivals will also mark a celebration of the 20th anniversary for the first-ever Men's T20I fixture played between the two teams back in 2005 at Eden Park, Auckland.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since that first-ever T20 International at Eden Park,” Bracewell remarked.
“It's amazing to see how far the format has come and I know both sides are looking forward to marking the milestone in style at Bay Oval.”
The two teams will kickstart the three-match T20I series on October 1, with all three fixtures scheduled to be played at Bay Oval.
The series will offer valuable preparation to both the teams ahead of next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.