New Zealand Cricket has announced an extended 19-member squad for the upcoming three-match unofficial Test series against India A, featuring 11 current and former BLACKCAPS. The series will provide an important opportunity for emerging players to test themselves against quality opposition ahead of the senior teams’ two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on November 19. The opening four-day match will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln from October 24 to 27.
The teams will then move to Hagley Oval in Christchurch for the second fixture from October 31 to November 3, before returning to Lincoln for the final match from November 7 to 10. India A have assembled a strong squad featuring several players with extensive international experience, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. Their presence is expected to provide New Zealand A’s players with a valuable test of their skills against high-quality opposition.
Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu has been appointed captain for the first two matches, while the leadership group for the third fixture will be announced later. The squad includes several players who have represented New Zealand at the international level, including Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Henry Nicholls and Tim Robinson. Nick Kelly, New Zealand’s newest centrally contracted player, is also expected to be available for the final match.
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The four-day 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 name 13 players for each match, allowing those not selected to remain available for domestic cricket.
Pete Sanford, New Zealand Cricket’s head of high-performance development, highlighted the importance of hosting India A and the opportunities the series would provide. “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.”
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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.
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Canterbury all-rounder Cam Paul is among the players hoping to make an impression during the series. The 21-year-old missed the previous tour because of injury but is in contention to make his New Zealand A debut in the third match.
Paul has already demonstrated his potential in first-class cricket, claiming two five-wicket hauls in five appearances while maintaining 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.
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The series will offer New Zealand’s emerging and experienced players a valuable opportunity to strengthen their red-ball credentials ahead of the senior teams’ upcoming Test contests.
New Zealand A Squads for India A Four-Day Matches
First match: Rhys Mariu (captain), Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
Second match: Rhys Mariu (captain), Matt Boyle, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
Third match: Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu (wicketkeeper), Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Jarrod McKay, Cam Paul, Henry Nicholls, Fraser Sheat.
