Follow UsIn the absence of 12 New Zealand IPL-bound stars, the BlackCaps have named a rather depleted squad, with the likes of Michael Bracewell and Dane Cleaver earning their maiden call-ups. The BlackCaps will be led by Tom Latham, who is without an IPL contract, across all the four games against the Dutch side.
"Anytime you lose 12 front-liners it's going to be a challenge, but we're really excited by the players we've been able to call on," coach Gary Stead said.
"With another T20 World Cup later this year and the ODI World Cup next year it's a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players."
Our squads for the @kfcnz Netherlands Tour are here! Game 1 against @KNCBcricket is next Friday. More | https://t.co/D4t2fGR3tZ #NZvNED pic.twitter.com/E5XzkjNrue
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 15, 2022
Earlier last September, the all-rounder Bracewell had declined an opportunity to be part of New Zealand’s away squad for the Bangladesh tour, citing the birth of his first child. However, now the 31-year-old has been picked in both squads, as Cleaver has been picked for just the one-off T20I encounter.
"Both players (Cleaver and Bracewell) have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season. Michael is a superb ball striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm off-breaks are an asset to any side,” Stead added.
However, Cam Fletcher, who earlier made the wave with his performance in the Super Smash continues to be ignored for a national call-up, with Cleaver edging him in the squad.
“Dane, along with Cam Fletcher, has been the stand-out wicket-keeper-batsman of the Dream11 Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane's consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge."
Henry Nicholls and Kyle Jamieson find themselves in the ODI squad while Ben Sears and Scott Kuggelejin make the cut for the shorter format. The three-match ODI series will also be veteran Ross Taylor’s final appearance in the 50-over format for the BlackCaps, with the right-hander having retired from the longest format earlier.
Squad:Tom Latham (C), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (T20I only), Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson (ODIs only), Scott Kuggeleijn (T20I only), Henry Nicholls (ODIs only), Ben Sears (T20I only), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor (ODIs only), Blair Tickner, Will Young