Tom Latham announced Black Caps captain for Pakistan & Sri Lanka T20s
Tom Latham has been named captain of New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) men’s One-Day International (ODI) side for the forthcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. The decision was taken because regulars like Kane Williamson would compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL 2023 is scheduled to begin on March 31, the same day that the ODI series concludes.
Williamson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, and Mitchell Santner will be freed early from the current Test series against Sri Lanka to compete in the IPL. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips will all depart after the first ODI to join their respective IPL clubs.
The BlackCaps will host a three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka on April 2, 5, and 8. When the series against the Lankan Lions concludes, the Kiwis will go to Pakistan for a white-ball series (ODIs and T20Is). The Twenty20 Internationals will be contested on April 14, 15, 17, 20, and 24.
Tom Blundell and Will Young will also return to the club, while uncapped players Chad Bowes and Ben Lister have been called up. In addition, Mark Chapman and Henry Nicholls will join the squad before of the second ODI, giving the team management extra alternatives.
On a rain-soaked final day in Christchurch, Williamson led New Zealand to a dramatic last-ball victory against Sri Lanka in the maiden Test. Because to the absence of many key players, Black Caps coach Gary Stead has recruited South African-born batsman Chad Bowes and seamer Ben Lister to the ODI team. Lister made his Twenty20 debut in India last month, while Bowes is making his first appearance for the Black Caps.
“We saw against India earlier this season the power and range of shots that Tom possess. His adaptability also means he can feature in a range of batting positions,” coach Mike Stead explained. “He led an inexperienced T20 squad to Bangladesh in 2021 and we were really impressed with his leadership of that group during a Covid bubble tour,” he concluded.
“We’ve got players returning and guys potentially making their debuts, that’s a really exciting mix to have in the group for these matches. Players like Tim and Cole haven’t been around the squad for little while and I am sure they will bring good energy when they are involved. They have both earned their selection with strong domestic form this season,” Mike stated.
ODI Squad to battle Sri Lanka: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
