New Zealand have named an extended 19-member ‘A’ squad featuring 11 current and former BLACKCAPS for a three-match unofficial Test series with India A. The contests will be held prior to New Zealand’s senior team hosting India for a two-match series that starts from November 19.
The opening unofficial Test is set to take place at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln from October 24 to 27.
Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the second match from October 31 to November 3, before the teams return to Lincoln for the third fixture from November 7 to 10.
India A’s squad features several players with considerable senior international experience, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. Their presence will give New Zealand
A’s players an opportunity to challenge themselves against high-quality opposition before the senior sides meet in the Test series.
Canterbury’s Rhys Mariu has been appointed captain for New Zealand A’s first two matches, with the leadership group for the third fixture to be confirmed at a later date.
Among the squad members who have represented New Zealand at the international level are Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Henry Nicholls and Tim Robinson. Nick Kelly, the country’s newest centrally contracted player, is also expected to be available for the third match.
The fixtures will take place alongside the BLACKCAPS’ white-ball series against India and New Zealand’s domestic 50-over competition, the Ford Trophy. New Zealand A will field 13 players in each match, allowing those not selected for a particular fixture to remain available for domestic cricket.
Pete Sanford, New Zealand Cricket’s head of high performance development, said the series would play an important role in strengthening the country’s player depth.
“We’re really looking forward to hosting India A,” Sanford said. “They’ve announced a very strong line-up which poses a great opportunity for growth as players to test their strengths against international class.”
Canterbury all-rounder Cam Paul is another player hoping to make an impression, with the 21-year-old in contention for his New Zealand A debut after injury ruled him out of the previous tour.
Paul has already registered two five-wicket hauls across his five first-class appearances and holds a bowling average of just under 22.
“You always want to test yourself against the best and potentially playing against some of those guys is a huge opportunity,” Paul said.
New Zealand A squads for four-day matches against India A.
1st Match: Rhys Mariu (C), Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (WK), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat
2nd Match: Rhys Mariu (C), Matt Boyle, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (WK), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat
3rd Match: Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu (WK), Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Jarrod McKay, Cam Paul, Henry Nicholls, Fraser Sheat.
