On Wednesday (30 January), New Zealand has announced their full-member T20I squad for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against India. The 27-year-old all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and the 25-year-old right-arm pacer Blair Tickner have earned their maiden international call-up.
After the completion of the ODI series, the T20I series will begin from 6 February. Kane Williamson is returning to the T20I squad who didn’t play their previous one-off T20I against Sri Lanka at Auckland on 11 January. Hence, Williamson will lead the T20I side during the upcoming home series against India.
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Also, the all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has returned to the T20I squad. Meanwhile, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Seth Rance have been dropped from the T20I squad.
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Moreover, the all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and the right-arm pacer Blair Tickner have earned their maiden international call-up. In the ongoing 2018/19 Super Smash (New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition), Mitchell (Northern Districts) is the third most run-scorer as he has scored 281 runs in 8 innings with the average of 35.12 and strike rate of 141.20.
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On the other hand, Tickner is the joint second most wicket-taker in the same tournament. Playing for Central Districts in the tournament, Tickner has already bagged 12 wickets in seven matches with the average of 18.25. Tickner has been added in the squad for only the third T20I as he will replace Lockie Ferguson who will be available for the first two T20Is.
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New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen spoke about selecting two new players, “Daryl has shown his value with the bat and also tends to bowl at some tough times for the Knights, and Blair is well-respected among his team-mates and opponents alike as someone who bowls a heavy ball at good pace.”
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New Zealand full member squad for the three-match home T20I series against India: Kane Williamson (capt), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Lockie Ferguson (Games 1 & 2), Blair Tickner (Game 3).
The full schedule of New Zealand vs India three-match T20I series in New Zealand in 2018/19
6th February: First T20I – Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington)
8th February: Second T20I – Eden Park (Auckland)
10th February: Third T20I – Seddon Park (Hamilton)
