New Zealand announce A squad for 1st time to feature in Top End T20 Series on Australia soil

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on August 6 announced their A squad for first ever participation in the Top End T20 series. The Kiwi squad will also feature a minor change for three One-Dayers against South Australia, Tasmania and Nepal.

As many as 13 players who have played international cricket for New Zealand will feature in the series. The T20 series will be player from August 21 to 30 in Darwin. The other eight teams are Nepal, Bangladesh A, Chicago Kingsmen, Australia Capital Territory, Cricket Victoria, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and Northern Territory Strike.

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The prominent names in the side include left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox who was adjudged Player of the series for taking 14 wickets in the ODI series against West Indies which the visitors ended up winning 3-2. The likes of Kristian Clarke, Mitch Hay, Ben Lister and Tim Robinson have made it into the squad as well. 

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Katene Clarke will feature in the T20s only. He will be replaced by Rhys Mariu for the One-Dayers. New Zealand A will face South Australia, Tasmania and Nepal on September 2, 4 and 6 respectively at the Marrara Cricket Ground 2 in Darwin.

New Zealand are looking at it to test their bench strength and identify players who can play a bigger role for the senior side in the future. Some of the names may end of featuring in New Zealand's all-format home series against home featuring five T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests.

"Top End will give our next best cricketers game time against high level opponents in a tournament structure, supporting our pinnacle event planning,” NZC's head of high performance development Pete Sanford said.

"This tour also provides valuable time on grass wickets during New Zealand's winter so these players can prepare for the home summer starting in just a couple of months' time.

"It's fantastic to be able to name such a strong squad for this tour and a nod to the depth in our ranks at present."

New Zealand A squad for Australia tour

Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Katene Clarke (T20 only), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu (One-Dayers only), Tim Robinson.