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New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on October 23 announced their squad for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next month. Interim captain Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand. This is Kiwis' first limited-overs series since Kane Williamson stepped down as captain after an early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
New Zealand have picked a second-string squad as eight senior players were not considered for selection. After the Test series against India, they will prepare for the three-Test series against England. Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson will miss the series.
All-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay have received maiden call-ups. Smith was named Domestic Player of the Year. Hay has been in fine form as well. He has named Canterbury's male Player of the year.
List of injured and unavailable players
Ben Sears, Ben Lister, Kyle Jamieson and Adi Ashok were not considered for selection due to their respective injuries. Meanwhile, spinner Cole McConchie is on paternity leave.
Santner’s captaincy record
Santner has led New Zealand only once in ODI in 2022. The BlackCaps won that match. In the T20Is, he has had experienced as captain. The left-arm spinner led in 22 T20Is, guiding his team to 12 wins whereas two ended in no result. His win percentage as captain is the best among all Kiwi captains since the inception of the format at the international stage.
New Zealand don't have a good record on Sri Lanka soil in ODIs having lost 17 out of six games. Four have ended in no result whereas the Kiwis have won six. In T20I format, New Zealand have had an upper hand in Sri Lanka with four wins from eight T20Is whereas one ended in no result.
New Zealand’s ODI and T20I squad
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
1st T20I - Saturday, November 9, Dambulla
2nd T20I - Sunday, November 10, Dambulla
1st ODI - Wednesday, November 13, Dambulla
2nd ODI- Sunday, November 17, Kandy
3rd ODI - Tuesday, November 19, Kandy
