Live updates of the opening Twenty20 between the Black Caps and West Indies at Eden Park.
Injury-hit Black Caps get reinforcements for West Indies T20s
Fresh from a depleted squad claiming a One-Day International series whitewash against England, the Black Caps have got a boost for the Twenty20 series against the West Indies, starting next week.
After the Black Caps’ bowling stocks in particular were hit during England’s tour, Kyle Jamieson has recovered from the side strain to make the 14-man squad. The 30-year-old had complained of stiffness in his left side and missed the 3-0 sweep as a result.
Jamieson’s presence is a boost for the seam-bowling stocks, with Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Ben Sears (hamstring), Will O’Rourke (back) and Tim Seifert (broken finger) all unavailable due to injury.
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Jamieson joins Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and the uncapped Nathan Smith as seam bowlers for the series.
Regular attack leader Matt Henry has been rested for the five-match series, in order to prepare for the test and One-Day International (ODI) series later this month, after he withdrew from facing England with a calf concern.
Elsewhere in the bowling ranks, Ish Sodhi returns to the squad after missing England’s tour, having featured in the 2-0 series loss to Australia at Mount Maunganui to start the summer.
Canterbury wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay was a late call up in to the squad as Seifert’s replacement.
“Kyle’s been back bowling this week and is tracking nicely for this series,” coach Rob Walter said.
“Nathan’s made an impressive start to his international career in the test and ODI formats and we back him to do the job if he gets his T20 chance in this series.
“Ish is our most-capped T20I [T20 International] player and it’s always great to be able to add his skills, energy and experience to the group.
“Matt has played every game for the Black caps since the tour to Zimbabwe in July, so it’s the right moment for him to have a short break and the fact he will also get some time to rehab his calf is another upside.”
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However, there is no room in the squad for Blair Tickner, despite his man-of-the-series efforts against England, with his last T20I coming in April 2023.
In the batting group, Kane Williamson was not considered after his retirement earlier on Sunday, while Bevon Jacobs has also been dropped after only featuring once to start the season.
Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips remain unavailable with the respective foot and groin injuries suffered during American Major League Cricket earlier this year.
Seifert had been named in the 14-man group, but was withdrawn and replaced by Mitch Hay after breaking his finger playing for Northern Districts.
The five-match series begins in Auckland on Wednesday.
Black Caps squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Mitch Hay (wk), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi
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