New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the T20 International (T20I) series against India to focus on the following Test series that starts on November 25 in Kanpur. Tim Southee will lead the Black Caps in the T20I series set to begin from November 17.
The Black Caps arrived in India less than 24 hours after losing to Australia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Dubai. And just after three days, they will play the three-match T20Is series, starting on November 17. Under Tim Southee’s captaincy, New Zealand has won 12 of 18 T20Is.
“With the opening game of the T20 series on Wednesday evening, followed by games on Friday and Sunday night. The decision was made for Kane Williamson to join the Test specialist group. Already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation,” Black Caps said in a release.
“Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game on Wednesday. While Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series. Lockie Ferguson’s recovery from a right calf strain continues to progress well. And he is expected to be available for the T20 series.”
New Zealand will play a three-match T20I series, starting on November 17, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The second T20I will be played on Friday at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. While Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the third and final T20I on Sunday. The T20I series will be followed by a two-match Test series with the first match to be played at Kanpur and the second in Mumbai.
New Zealand squad for T20I series against India
Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert(WK), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (C)