Star all-rounder Mitchell Santner is all set to lead New Zealand during their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka next month. The Kiwis will travel to the Island Nation after the end of the ongoing Test series against India. It will be a quick turnaround for some all-format players as the third and final Test match versus India begins on November 1 and the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka gets underway on November 9.
New Zealand are scheduled to play two T20Is in Dambulla on November 9 and 10. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is going to be held in Dambulla before the action shifts to Kandy for the last two games.
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This will be New Zealand's first limited-overs series since Kane Williamson relinquished captaincy, following the team's dismal outing in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies in June as they were ousted in the first round. New Zealand have also called up all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay for the first time in the 15-man squad, announced by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in a press release.
Santner has been named as interim captain for the tour, while permanent ODI and T20I captains shall be announced during the New Zealand home summer later this year.
Nathan Smith was awarded as NZC's Domestic Player of the Year in March. He bagged 24 wickets across the domestic ODI and T20 tournaments and also accounted for his career-best figures of 4 for 5 in the Super Smash. On the other hand, Hay, 24, was named as Canterbury's male Player of the Year, earlier this year.
The seam-bowling attack comprises Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes. Meanwhile, Ish Sodhi will be the most experienced spinner travelling to Sri Lanka. Sodhi will have a backup in the form of spin-bowling all-rounders Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell and Dean Foxcroft. Finally, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Nicholls, Phillips, Tim Robinson and Josh Clarkson shall form the batting unit.
Eight players from Test squad given rest ahead of England series
Eight players from the ongoing Test series against India - Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson - were not considered for selection to prepare for the three-match Test series against England, which starts with the first Test in Christchurch on November 28.
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New Zealand were recently whitewashed on their two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka. The Blackcaps will hope for a better performance in the white-ball encounters.
New Zealand's squad for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka: Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (WK), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young.
Series Schedule
First T20I - Saturday, November 9, Dambulla
Second T20I - Sunday, November 10, Dambulla
First ODI - Wednesday, November 13, Dambulla
Second ODI- Sunday, November 17, Kandy
Third ODI - Tuesday, November 19, Kandy
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