Auckland: New Zealand have named a 16-member squad for the five-match home T20I series against India, with Adam Milne earning a recall more than a year after his last international appearance.
Mitchell Santner will captain the side in the series starting October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Thirteen members of the squad that finished runners-up to India in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad in March have been retained.
Milne, 34, has not featured for the Black Caps since a T20 tri-series in Harare, having missed the World Cup through injury. His return bolsters a seven-strong pace contingent that also includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith. Milne has taken 65 wickets in 56 T20Is.
Ravindra and Sears miss out
Rachin Ravindra was not considered as he continues his rehabilitation from injury, with head coach Rob Walter saying the all-rounder is expected to return for the ODI leg of the tour. Seamer Ben Sears is also unavailable as he recovers from an ankle injury.
“We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads,” Walter said.
First meeting since the final
The series will be the first meeting between the sides since India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final. More than 76,000 tickets have already been sold, with New Zealand Cricket describing the 12-match tour — five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests — as the biggest inbound tour in its history.
After two games in Christchurch (October 22 and 24), the series moves to Wellington (October 27), Auckland (October 30) and Hamilton (November 1).
Seifert arrives in form
Tim Seifert returns to the Black Caps setup after a stunning campaign in The Hundred, where he scored 394 runs at a strike rate of 168 and was named Player of the Tournament — including a match-winning 72 off 38 balls in the final. His reunion with Finn Allen at the top of the order, the pair’s first since the World Cup, gives New Zealand serious firepower.
Allen himself smashed an unbeaten 100 off 33 balls against South Africa in the World Cup semi-final, and the management will hope that kind of destruction translates to home conditions.
Spin and balance
With Santner, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips, New Zealand have three spin-bowling options to complement the seven quicks — a balanced attack for the varied venues, from Christchurch’s seaming decks to Eden Park’s short boundaries.
India, the reigning T20 world champions, present the ultimate examination. But with a near full-strength squad and home crowds behind them, Walter’s men have every reason to believe.
New Zealand T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.
