• Home
  • Breaking News
  • Kane Williamson Returns As New Zealand Announce Star Studded Squad For Bangladesh T20is

 Kane Williamson Returns As New Zealand Announce Star-Studded Squad For Bangladesh T20Is

image-lq92foc3Kane Williamson (Twitter)

After missing out on action in the shortest format for nearly a year since enduring a horrific ACL injury, Kane Williamson returns to lead New Zealand's T20I side against Bangladesh. 

The great right-hander, who made his comeback to playing duties via the ICC World Cup 2023, has been named captain of BlackCaps' 13-member squad picked for the three-match series. 



Rested from the ODI leg of Bangladesh's visit, which started on Sunday (December 17) in Dunedin, Williamson's return at the helm for the T20I side signals his commitment to continue captaining in the shortest format leading into the next year's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean & USA. 

There were doubts on the stalwart's captaincy fate that he could be relinquishing his captaincy load entirely at the international stage to prolong his illustrious career after an untimely knee injury at the start of IPL 2023 threatened to plague his wings significantly. 

Williamson Returns To Lead Kiwi T20I Outfit 

Through sheer willingness and courage, Williamson made a speedier than expected recovery from his injury and made a comeback to playing colours via the recent 50-over World Cup on Indian shores and also took part in the two-Test series which followed in Bangladesh. 

The great batter is one of only three players, also including allrounder James Neesham and pacer Ban Sears, who weren't part of New Zealand's previous T20I assignment on the tour of England in August as the selectors persist with familiar faces to try and upstage the Bangla Tigers. 

There were still six major absentees from the squad as experienced opener Devon Conway currently rests and recuperates from heavy workload faced over the past six months while Michael Bracewell (Achilles), Lockie Ferguson (Achilles), Matt Henry (hamstring) and Henry Shipley (back) continue to recover from respective injuries. 

Ace left-arm quick Trent Boult wasn't available for selection again after having earlier opted out of a central contract with NZC as he keeps his calendar free for domestic T20 assignments. Boult last played for New Zealand during the World Cup semifinal against India. 

The three-match T20I series starts with the opener in Napier on December 27 followed by pair of games in Mount Maunganui on December 29 and 31, respectively. 

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Sears