New Zealand T20 squad for Australia series announced; Kane Williamson and Trent Boult grab headlines for opposing reasons

Veteran left-arm pacer Trent Boult has returned to the New Zealand T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia on home soil. Trent Boult will be part of the national team in the shorter format of the game after a hiatus of 15 months.

Trent Boult will join the team for the second and third matches of the series, having last appeared in this format during the 2022 World Cup against Pakistan. Pacer Tim Southee is scheduled to play in the first T20I to manage his workload before the Test series.

Trent Boult’s Last Appearance For New Zealand In ODI World Cup 2023

The left-arm fast bowler secured eight wickets from five matches at an average of 18.50 during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Overall, Trent Boult has amassed 74 wickets from 55 T20Is at an average of 22.5. He last played for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup.

Kane Williamson To Miss T20I Series Due To Paternity Leave

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be absent from the series due to paternity leave, with Mitchell Santner stepping in as the interim skipper. Additionally, the team will be without the services of all-rounder Daryll Mitchell, who is sidelined due to a foot injury.

Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Josh Clarkson have been included in the 14-member squad. With Williamson’s absence, Clarkson is expected to make his debut for New Zealand in T20Is. Ravindra is currently showcasing his all-round skills in Tests against South Africa.

It’s Great To Have Rachin Ravindra – Chief Selector

Chief Selector Sam Wells expressed confidence in the squad despite the absence of key players. Sam Wells praised Josh Clarkson for his batting prowess and promising bowling performance in his debut ODI series against Bangladesh.

“It’s never ideal missing two of your best players for such a big series, but in saying that, we do have a lot of faith in the guys coming in. Both Josh and Rachin have been in our white-ball squads this summer and it’s really exciting for them to now get this opportunity,” Sam Wells said.

“Josh hits the ball as long and as hard as anyone and we were encouraged by his performances with the ball in his maiden ODI series against Bangladesh before Christmas. Rachin’s talent and class has been clear to all over the past six months, and similar to Josh, it’s great to have his all-round skill-set to call on in this squad,” he added.

New Zealand is set to take on Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, in three T20Is, with the first match scheduled to begin on February 21 at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The two teams will engage in a two-match Test series following the conclusion of the T20I fixtures.

Also read: Trent Boult takes a U-Turn after opting to play as a Freelance player; T20 World Cup in sight