New Zealand Cricket Team: After the recent T20 Men’s World Cup in Australia, all the cricket-playing countries are gearing up for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023. The white ball cricket format will be hosted by India in October-November 2023.
As per the New Zealand Cricket website, the blackcaps are touring Pakistan from December 2022- January 2023. Followed by India tour in January 2023. The New Zealand cricket board has decided to opt for two different captains for their Pakistan and India tours. Kane Williamson will be leading the New Zealand Cricket Team in Pakistan for two Test and three one-day internationals. The Kiwi skipper is currently the captain of the national team in all formats.
Post the Pakistan tour, the New Zealand Cricket Team are immediately touring India in January- February for three ODIs and three T20 matches. The Kiwi skipper will be rested for the India tour, he will be replaced by Tom Latham.
The year 2022 was a good year for Pakistan as they reached the T20 world cup finals losing to England. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not host any foreign team matches between 2009-2019 due to security threats. Back in March 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by militants.
As per the reports, there are some changes in the schedule as the PCB and NZC series have been brought forward by a day starting the test match on December 26th. The last match New Zealand Cricket Team played against Pakistan in the latter’s home was in 2003.
New Zealand Cricket Team: Why Separate Captains And Coaches For New Zealand?
New Zealand Cricket Team: The spilt squads have been announced to manage the player and the staff workload, reported by the NZ board. Skipper Kane Williamson and Vice-captain Tim Southee will continue to be the captain for the Pakistan tour between December 26th to January 14th, along with coach Gary Stead and Shane Jurgensen. The skipper along with the vice-captain and coaches will return home after the Pakistan tour.
Tom Latham will lead the New Zealand Cricket Team in India tour along with new head coach Luke Ronchi who will be assisted by coaches Bob Carter and Paul Wiseman.
The former No.1 T20 Leg-spinner Inderbir Singh “Ish” Sodhi and the left-handed batter Henry Nicholls have been recalled for both series with a maiden call-up for all-rounder Henry Shipley.
New Zealand Selector Gavin stated that the upcoming white ball series with Pakistan and India are very important as they will be preparing for ICC world Cup In India 2023, giving them an opportunity to play under sub-continent conditions. He further stated that it will be a real test of players’ skill and temperament while playing against world-class teams on their home grounds.
He also added that it’s the perfect time to play with these teams while looking at the World Cup which is less than a year away from now, to understand the situation and conditions and to prep up the game plans.
NZ squads for the series against India :
New Zealand Cricket Team: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi,
NZ squads for the series against Pakistan
New Zealand Cricket Team: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tim Southee (VC), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi.
