Martin Guptill will make a record seventh appearance at a T20 World Cup after being included in a largely predictable Black Caps squad for the tournament starting next month in Australia.
Black Caps opener Martin Guptill has been named to compete at his seventh T20 World Cup.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Opening batsman Guptill was named on Tuesday in a 15-strong squad which features three changes to that which contested last year’s tournament in UAE and lost to Australia in the final.
Two of the new faces are Wellingtonians Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell, who haven’t played at any senior World Cup.
The third player who didn’t play in last year’s tournament is pace bowler Lockie Ferguson, who replaces the injured Kyle Jamieson.
Ferguson was named for the tournament in the UAE but injured a calf muscle in the leadup to the opening game and made way for fellow-quick Adam Milne, who has kept his spot in this squad.
Two players dropped from last year’s group are legspinner Todd Astle and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert.
In Seifert’s absence, Devon Conway will be the front-line wicketkeeper after wearing the gloves in the recent series against West Indies.
Four non-contracted players have been selected – Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Trent Boult and Milne.
Guptill’s record-setting selection was announced at his former school — Avondale College in Auckland.
The 35-year-old will move ahead of retired pair Ross Taylor and Nathan McCullum as having made the most appearances by a New Zealander at the T20 World Cup.
His tally seven of will sbe one behind Shakib Al-Hasan of Bangladesh and Rohit Sharma of India, who are both set to make an eighth appearance next month, having contested every edition of the tournament since it was introduced in 2007.
New Zealand bowler Adam Milne reflects after Australia win the 2021 T20 World Cup final in Dubai.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand will warm up for the tournament in a home tri-series involving Pakistan and Bangladesh, starting on October 7.
They open their World Cup campaign against Australia in Sydney on October 22 before facing Afghanistan, England and two qualifiers.
Coach Gary Stead said his side are determined to go one place better than last year, when they lost to the Australians by eight wickets in the Dubai decider.
“It’s great to have this tournament so soon after last year’s event in which we played some really good cricket, but couldn’t quite get over the line at the end,” Stead said.
“With the nucleus of that squad retained along with the exciting additions of Finn and Michael, we should go into the tournament with plenty of optimism.
“Playing at the great grounds such as the SCG, MCG, the Gabba and the Adelaide Oval will be occasions to savour and something I know our boys are really looking forward to.”
New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne,
– RNZ
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