New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have announced their squad for the five-T20I series against South Africa at home, starting March 15. Skipper Mitchell Santner who led the team to final in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against India, is available for first three T20Is. Then, Tom Latham will take over as captain for the remaining two T20Is.
Katene Clarke, Nick Kelly and Jayden Lennox are set to make their T20I debuts. Clarke and Lennox have been picked for last two ODIs whereas Kelly is expected to make his debut earlier.
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Dane Cleaver, former captain Kane Williamson’s cousin, has been recalled as well. He will take over the wicketkeeping gloves from Devon Conway.
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Several T20 World Cup 2026 players rested
The current squad is missing Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy who played in T20 World Cup 2026. The list of rested players includes several who are bound for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Opportunity for young Kiwis
"We've certainly had to be pragmatic in selecting this squad," selector Gavin Larsen said in an NZC statement. "We're lucky to have strong depth across the different skill-sets which has afforded us the opportunity to rest a few players and introduce some others.
"That provides an excellent opportunity for many to stake their claim for regular inclusion in the T20 team moving forward as we begin a new World Cup cycle.
"It's been a busy couple of months for those on the road and with the South Africa series ahead, a tour to Bangladesh in April-May during the IPL and PSL windows, alongside a New Zealand A tour to Sri Lanka and followed by winter tours to Ireland, England and West Indies - keeping our players fit and fresh in the short and the long term is our top priority."
The series will also provide Bevon Jacobs with an opportunity to prove his worth in the middle order. In T20 Super Smash, he had scored five consecutive fifties. He was on India tour as well but did not make it to the T20 World Cup squad.
New Zealand T20I squad vs South Africa -
Mitchell Santner (c) (1-3), Katene Clarke (4-5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk) (4-5), Devon Conway (wk) (1-3), Lockie Ferguson (2-3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (c) (4-5), Jayden Lennox (4-5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.