Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 01:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Matt Henry make a return to New Zealand white-ball squads
Hard-hitting middle-order batter Bevan Jacobs has been handed his maiden New Zealand call-up by being picked for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Jacobs was part of the New Zealand XI side that took on Sri Lanka in a warm-up tour match in Lincoln yesterday, although he did not get a chance to bat. Jacobs’ call-up comes barely a month after he was picked by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 auction, joining New Zealand internationals Trent Boult and new white-ball Captain Mitchell Santner.
Fast bowler Zakary Foulkes, wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay, and top-order batter Tim Robinson are also part of the T20I squad, and could play their first international home games, having made their debuts abroad earlier in the year.
While Jacobs, Foulkes, and Robinson have only been called up for the T20Is, Latham, Will Young, and Will O’Rourke will join the squad for the one-dayers. O’Rourke has been rested for the T20Is after a heavy Test workload, having featured in all eight Tests against Sri Lanka, India, and England.
The series against Sri Lanka will also see Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Matt Henry make a return to the white-ball squads, having been rested during their tour of Sri Lanka to prepare for the home Tests against England.
New Zealand will miss many big names, due to their commitments to various franchise T20 leagues. Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert are away at the BBL, while Kane Williamson and Devon Conway are part of the SA20, which is scheduled to begin on 9 January.
The team will be coached by Luke Ronchi, with regular Head Coach Gary Stead taking a break.
This will be New Zealand’s final ODI bilateral series before the Champions Trophy, where they will take on hosts Pakistan in the tournament opener.
New Zealand T20I squad v Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith
New Zealand ODI squad v Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young
