The New Zealand selectors have decided to rest skipper Kane Williamson for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka which is slated to begin on 1st September. The opening T20I will be played in Pallekele after the end of the 2nd Test.
Fast bowler Tim Southee has been named the skipper with pacer Trent Boult also rested. Southee played just a solitary match in the World Cup. However, he was part of the playing XI for New Zealand as they went down to Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.
Blair Tickner has a chat with Kane Williamson ©Getty Images
“Kane and Trent played an enormous role in our recent World Cup campaign and with a big summer ahead, we see it as a good opportunity to give them a rest,” selector Gavin Larsen said.
Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle are the three spinners who have been included in the T20I squad. Seth Rance has been named as the uncapped pacer in the squad in place of Doug Bracewell who was part of the squad for the home ODI’s against India earlier in the year.
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“Following that amazing ride in the ODI World Cup, it”s exciting to begin setting our sights on another world event,” Larsen further added. “The series in Sri Lanka will be a challenging one against a team who are tough to beat in their own conditions. Our T20 team has been pretty consistent over the past couple of years and we”re really happy with the power and versatility we have in this squad.”
New Zealand will be on a high especially in the limited-overs format after almost managing to win their maiden World Cup title.
Squad: Tim Southee (C), Todd Astle, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhome, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor
