Knights batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and Central Stags paceman Blair Tickner have earned their maiden call-ups to the BLACKCAPS T20 squad for the three-match series against India, starting in Wellington on Wednesday.
Mitchell has been included in the squad after a strong Burger King Super Smash campaign and some solid form for New Zealand A in one-day cricket, while Tickner will join the team for the third match in Hamilton; replacing Lockie Ferguson.
Doug Bracewell, brought in as a replacement for the injured Jimmy Neesham ahead of the most recent T20 against Sri Lanka, has retained his place in the squad.
BLACKCAPS selector Gavin Larsen said Mitchell had won over the selectors on the back of impressive performances for the Knights, the most recent of which saw him smash 61 off just 23 balls against the Stags in Napier.
“Both Daryl and Blair have been rewarded for the strong form they’ve produced in domestic cricket,” said Larsen.
“They’ve been there or thereabouts for most of the season and both featured in our NZ A short-format teams.
“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.”
Tickner will replace Ferguson for the third T20 while Trent Boult’s workload continues to be managed.
Other changes to the most recent T20 outing against Sri Lanka include the return of captain Kane Williamson in place of Henry Nicholls.
The three-game series against India will be double-headers alongside the WHITE FERNS and India women, who will play beforehand on the same pitch.
BLACKCAPS T20 squad v India
Kane Williamson (c)
Doug Bracewell
Colin de Grandhomme
Lockie Ferguson (Games 1 & 2)
Martin Guptill
Scott Kuggeleijn
Daryl Mitchell
Colin Munro
Mitchell Santner
Tim Seifert (wk)
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Blair Tickner (Game 3)
