Matt Henry is poised to make his T20 World Cup debut, securing a spot in New Zealand Cricket’s formidable 15-man squad.
Leading the team once more will be Kane Williamson.
Squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| Kane Williamson (Captain) |
| Finn Allen |
| Trent Boult |
| Michael Bracewell |
| Mark Chapman |
| Devon Conway |
| Lockie Ferguson |
| Matt Henry |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Jimmy Neesham |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Mitchell Santner |
| Ish Sodhi |
| Tim Southee |
| Ben Sears (Travelling Reserve) |
Matt Henry, currently showcasing his skills for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League, has earned his place in New Zealand Cricket’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup.
Despite featuring in just 17 T20Is for his country, Henry’s bowling prowess has seen significant improvement since his return to the format last year after a six-year hiatus.
“Matt has demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing his T20 game, making him a strong contender for selection,” remarked head coach Gary Stead.
With Adam Milne sidelined due to an ankle injury, Henry secured his spot over Ben Sears in the squad.
Joining him in the fast bowling department will be seasoned campaigners Tim Southee and Trent Boult, veterans of their seventh and fifth T20 World Cups respectively, along with the pace of Lockie Ferguson.
Despite Devon Conway’s ongoing recovery from a thumb injury, he has been included in the squad and is expected to assume wicketkeeping duties over Finn Allen.
Tim Seifert and Tom Blundell did not make the final cut.
Michael Bracewell, who recently captained New Zealand to a 2-2 draw in the T20I series against Pakistan, returns to the fold after being sidelined for most of 2023, including the 50-over World Cup in India.
Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell add depth as pace-bowling allrounders, while Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Mark Chapman provide additional bowling options in anticipation of the slow conditions in the Caribbean and the United States.
The spin department will be led by the reunited duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.
Rachin Ravindra, like Henry, is set to make his T20 World Cup debut after impressing in the 50-over edition last year with three centuries.
“Rachin’s consistent performances over the past year, especially in the T20 format against Australia, have been remarkable,” noted Stead.
The coaching staff includes Luke Ronchi as the batting coach, Jacob Oram as the bowling coach, and James Foster as the assistant coach with a focus on fielding, as announced by NZC.
New Zealand’s campaign kicks off against Afghanistan in Guyana on June 7, with the team departing for the tournament on May 23.
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