Talented Wellington teenager Rachin Ravindra will get a chance to further demonstrate his potential after being named in the New Zealand A squad for their three four-day matches against India A, starting in Mount Maunganui on Friday.
The 18-year-old allrounder, a standout figure in last season's ICC under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, impressed on the A squad's tour to the United Arab Emirates recently, scoring half-centuries in each of the two four-dayers against Pakistan A.
''He's a player with a big future, no doubt about that,'' NZC selection manager Gavin Larsen said.
''He’s obviously a skilful cricketer and very measured. We see this tour as another chance for Rachin to move his game forward against quality opposition,” he said.
Another feature of the squad is the inclusion of former Test bowler Doug Bracewell, who returns to the fold after a strong start to the season with the Central Stags.
''We all know his game and it's good to see him back at 100 percent fitness. We know what his capabilities are and want to see more of that at a slightly higher level,” Larsen added.
Balancing the more experienced Bracewell in the allrounder department is Kyle Jamieson, the tall Canterbury fast-medium bowler.
He scored a century against England in a pink ball match in Hamilton last season and his bowling was impressive in the UAE recently.
''He showed good development there and that innings against England proves he's got the ability to stand up against international class opposition,” Larsen said.
India have sent a formidable squad for the three games.
Regular test batsman Ajinkya Rahane will captain India A in the first match, and Karun Nair, a triple century-maker in just his third test in 2016, will lead in the second and third games of the series.
Other prominent names in the squad to be coached by one of cricket's all-time greats Rahul Dravid, are top class batsmen Rohit Sharma - scorer of a staggering three ODI double centuries - Murali Vijay and 19-year-old Prithvi Shaw, who led India to the under 19 world title in Mount Maunganui early this year, and who made a century on his Test debut against the West Indies last month.
''There are some real headline acts in that team, so it's going to be a fantastic test for our guys,'' Larsen said.
''We were there last year and Rahul was very complimentary about New Zealand cricket and he was very keen to bring his A team out here. It's very pleasing to know they've brought such a strong outfit.''
New Zealand A Squad
George Worker (Central Stags)
Will Young (Central Stags)
Tim Seifert (Northern Districts)
Glenn Phillips (Auckland Aces)
Rachin Ravindra (Wellington Firebirds)
Dane Cleaver (Central Stags, game one only)
Cam Fletcher (Canterbury, games two and three only)
Doug Bracewell (Central Stags)
Kyle Jamieson (Canterbury)
Lockie Ferguson (Auckland Aces, games two and three only)
Seth Rance (Central Stags)
Blair Tickner (Central Stags)
Scott Kuggeleijn (Northern Districts, game one only)
Logan van Beek (Wellington Firebirds)
Theo van Woerkom (Canterbury)
India A's four-day fixtures:
Nov 16-19: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Nov 23-26: Seddon Park, Hamilton
Nov 30-Dec 3: Cobham Oval, Whangarei.
