Picture Credit: AP
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a 15-member squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup starting on 16 October in Australia. Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell have found places in the squad as the duo makes their first senior World Cup appearance. Similarly, they both are the only new players from the side that represented New Zealand in last year's event in the UAE.
This BlackCaps team will first face Pakistan and Bangladesh in a T20 tri-series starting on 7 October in Christchurch. This tournament will have seven matches across eight days at the Hagley Oval as all three teams get in a final dress rehearsal before departing for Australia on 15 October.
NZC released a statement about the new squad and addressed the players like Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle and Tim Seifert, who couldn’t make the cut for the World Cup. The statement said, "Of those who featured in last year's World Cup squad, Kyle Jamieson wasn't considered as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury, while Todd Astle and Tim Seifert have missed selection."
In the statement, BlackCaps head coach Gary Stead expressed excitement for the team they have selected for the World Cup. He said, "It's always a special time announcing a World Cup squad and I'd like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. It's especially exciting for Finn and Michael who are set for their first ICC events, while Martin Guptill is preparing for his 7th T20 World Cup - which in itself is an incredible achievement."
"It's great to have this tournament so soon after last year's event in which we played some really good cricket, but couldn't quite get over the line at the end. With the nucleus of that squad retained along with the exciting additions of Finn and Michael, we should go into the tournament with plenty of optimism," he added.
New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup and tri-series: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
