Mitchell Santner is set to captain an expanded New Zealand men’s cricket team squad during the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The series will commence at Bay Oval on Sunday, featuring double-header match days alongside the women’s national teams of both New Zealand and South Africa. The selectors have opted to name two squads to effectively manage player workloads, with several players returning home after the World Cup final loss to India.
Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson will join Santner for the first three matches, while Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears, and Ish Sodhi will be available for the entire series after lighter workloads during the global tournament. The schedule includes games at Seddon Park, Eden Park, Wellington, and Christchurch following the opener. New Zealand has also included domestic performers like Katene Clarke, Nick Kelly, and Jayden Lennox, who are in line to make their T20I debuts during the series.
Selector Gavin Larsen praised Clarke’s explosive batting style and power-hitting abilities, highlighting his potential impact in the power play and throughout an innings. Lennox earned his call-up after an impressive performance during his ODI debut series against India, while Kelly’s consistent performances earned him a T20 opportunity after his ODI debut against Pakistan. The extended squad also features the return of Josh Clarkson and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham, who will take over the captaincy from Santner for the final two matches.
With Conway departing after three matches, wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver will join the squad for the latter part of the series. Notable absentees from the squad include Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Tim Seifert, who will rest after the World Cup. Fast bowler Matt Henry has been granted leave to spend time with his newborn child.
