Looking to improve upon their last appearance in 2019, New Zealand have announced their 15-player group for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
New Zealand on Monday confirmed the inclusion of leg spinner Ish Sodhi’s alma mater, Papatoetoe High School in Auckland, in the squad.
The 30-year-old joins captain Kane Williamson, who was confirmed as a member of the squad this week after making a faster-than-expected recovery from a torn ACL in the 2023 IPL. Both Williamson and fast bowler Tim Southee have been named to participate in their fourth World Cup.
After stellar form in both white-ball formats, Mark Chapman has earned his place, along with 23-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who claimed 3/48 against England in the First Four. ODI on Friday.
With no room in the group for young top-order batsman Finn Allen nor back-up wicketkeeper Tim Seifert, the Black Caps chose Tom Latham as the sole wicketkeeper in the squad. Adam Milne, who suffered a hamstring injury during New Zealand’s recent tour of England, has also not played.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead admitted he faced some tough decisions when selecting the final squad, but believes he has the right mix of youth and experience to take on India.
“It is always a special time to name the team of the tournament and I would like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. “It is a huge honor to represent your country at the World Cup,” Stead said.
“It’s always a very exciting time, from Ken and Tim going into their fourth tournament to the players being selected for the first time.
“Like any team named for an ICC tournament, there have been some tough calls and some players will be disappointed.
“The key for us was to find the right balance for the team and make sure we laid the foundation for what will be a very competitive tournament.”
The team will face England and Bangladesh in ODIs before taking on England in a rematch of the 2019 final in the World Cup opener on October 5.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
