Next month, New Zealand’s white-ball trip to Sri Lanka will be led by star all-rounder Mitchell Santner. Following the conclusion of the current Test series against India, the Kiwis will make their way to the Island Nation. With the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka starting on November 9 and the third and final Test match against India starting on November 1, certain all-format players will have a short turnaround.
On November 9 and 10, New Zealand will play two Twenty20 Internationals in Dambulla. An ODI series consisting of three matches will ensue. Before the final two matches move to Kandy, the first ODI will take place in Dambulla.
This will be the first limited-overs series for New Zealand since Kane Williamson stepped down as captain after the team’s poor performance in the June T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies, where they were eliminated in the opening round. In addition, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) stated in a press release that wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay and all-rounder Nathan Smith had been called up for the first time in the 15-man team.
While regular ODI and T20I captains will be announced during the home summer in New Zealand later this year, Santner has been named as the tour’s interim leader.
In March, Nathan Smith received the NZC Domestic Player of the Year award. In addition to recording a career-best 4 for 5 total in the Super Smash, he took 24 wickets in the domestic ODI and T20 competitions. However, earlier this year, Hay, 24, was voted Canterbury’s male Player of the Year.
Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, and Lockie Ferguson make up the seam-bowling attack. Ish Sodhi, on the other hand, will be the most seasoned spinner visiting Sri Lanka. All-round spin bowlers Dean Foxcroft, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips will be Sodhi’s support. Lastly, the batting lineup will consist of Josh Clarkson, Mark Chapman, Nicholls, Phillips, Tim Robinson, and Will Young.
Before the England series, eight members of the Test squad were given time off.
To prepare for the three-match Test series against England, which begins with the first Test in Christchurch on November 28, eight players from the current Test series against India—Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, and Kane Williamson—were not selected.
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During their recent two-match Test trip of Sri Lanka, New Zealand was thoroughly humiliated. In the white-ball matches, the Blackcaps will be hoping to play better.
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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