New Zealand were the first team to declare their roster for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June, and experienced hitter Kane Williamson was selected captain.
Williamson, along with fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, and other senior players were picked to the 15-man New Zealand side for Monday’s 20-over showcase, the ninth round of the competition.
As the Kiwis aim for their first trophy in the shortest international format of the game, Williamson will make his sixth appearance in a T20 World Cup, and fourth as skipper. Southee is poised to make his seventh participation, and Boult his fifth.
Despite the recent success of players like Will O’Rourke, Tom Latham, Tim Seifert, and Will Young against the white-ball, they were not selected for the tournament, and key pacer Kyle Jamieson (back) and all-rounder Adam Milne (ankle) were also not included in the New Zealand squad.
The selectors also decided not to bring back veteran top-order hitter Colin Munro, instead choosing to bring in youthful sensation Rachin Ravindra and quick bowler Matt Henry, who had neither played in a Twenty20 World Cup before.
As an additional traveling reserve, the Kiwis will bring teenage bowler Ben Sears to the United States and the West Indies in case they need him.
Coach Gary Stead of New Zealand is optimistic about his team’s chances of doing well in the month-long competition because he thinks it is balanced.
It is my pleasure to extend my congratulations to all of the individuals honored today. Representing your nation in a global competition is an amazing experience, Stead remarked.
“These venues in the West Indies are likely to have a wide range of conditions, and we think we’ve put together a team that can adapt to those.”
Given this is Henry and Ravindra’s first T20 World Cup, Stead is particularly excited to watch their performances on the grand stage.
“Matt has worked exceptionally hard on his skills across the phases of a T20 game to come back into selection consideration,” he said.
“Rachin has shown remarkable consistency over the past 12 months, winning every post he has faced. It was thrilling to witness him carry that momentum into the summer T20 format against Australia.”
On June 7, New Zealand will play their first Twenty20 World Cup encounter against Afghanistan in Guyana. They will then play Group C matches against the West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea.
The New Zealand squad consists of the following players: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, and Tim Southee. Reserve for Travel: Ben Sears
