Batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner have been called for the 3-match T20I series vs India
New Zealand have brought in all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and pacer Blair Tickner into the 14-member squad fo the three-match T20I series against India. While Mitchell has been selected for all three matches, Tickner will join the squad for the 3rd T20I, replacing Lockie Ferguson.
Pacer Trent Boult has been granted rest as a part of his workload management and will not feature for the T20Is. Henry Nicholls, Seth Rance and Glenn Phillips have been left out of the squad after their average performance against Sri Lanka.
Blackcaps selector Gavin Larsen stated that both Mitchell and Tickner have been called in because of their impressive performances in domestic cricket.
“Both Daryl and Blair have been rewarded for the strong form they’ve produced in domestic cricket,” said Larsen, according to New Zealand cricket.
“They’ve been there or thereabouts for most of the season and both featured in our NZ A short-format teams.
“Daryl has shown his value with the bat and also tends to bowl at some tough times for the Knights, and Blair is well-respected among his team-mates and opponents alike as someone who bowls a heavy ball at good pace.”
Doug Bracewell, who was called in as injured Jimmy Neesham's replacement in the one-off T20I against Sri Lanka, retained his place after his impressive performances against India.
The Men in Blue, however, will be without skipper Virat Kohli for the three-match T20Is as he has been rested with deputy Rohit Sharma leading India.
New Zealand T20 Squad vs India: Kane Williamson (c), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (Games 1 & 2), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner (Game 3)
