New Delhi, Oct 25: New Zealand have announced several changes to their squad for the remaining three T20Is against India, with workload management a key consideration ahead of the five-match ODI series that follows.
Pacer Lockie Ferguson will miss the third T20I, scheduled to be played on Tuesday, October 27, as he departs for Auckland. However, he is expected to rejoin the squad for the final two matches of the series as the Black Caps look to manage their fast-bowling resources.
To provide additional pace cover for the third T20I, Matt Fisher will travel with the squad to Wellington. His involvement will be limited to the upcoming match, after which he will return to the New Zealand A squad.
Meanwhile, Matt Henry will remain in Christchurch to
prepare for the ODI series, with the fast bowler scheduled to assemble with the squad in Auckland on November 2.
Kyle Jamieson, who is available for the third T20I, will also feature for Canterbury in their second-round Ford Trophy fixture on October 31 before rejoining the Black Caps for the ODI assignments.
New Zealand have also included Blair Tickner in the T20I squad for the final three matches, while Josh Clarkson will be available for selection for the last two games against India.
Black Caps head coach Rob Walter said the changes were aimed at managing the workload of the team's fast bowlers while ensuring they remain ready for the busy international schedule ahead.
"It's been a competitive start to the T20 series with two close games and plenty more cricket to come," Walter was quoted as saying by New Zealand Cricket.
"We're very fortunate with the depth in the squad to be able to call upon different players to help manage our pacers' workloads, and to try and ensure they're best placed to perform for the team for all the cricket coming up," he added.
New Zealand are under pressure after losing the first two matches of the five-game T20I series and now face the prospect of a series defeat. The visitors will need a victory in the third T20I on October 27 to keep their hopes of levelling the series alive.
With the ODI series also on the horizon, the team management will be keen to balance immediate results with the fitness and availability of key players across formats.
