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New Zealand opt for experience as Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi rejoin squad for WI series

Arunima Purohit

Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BLACKCAPS, X]Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BLACKCAPS, X]

Ahead of the 5-match T20I series against West Indies, New Zealand Cricket has named its 14-member squad, featuring the much-anticipated return of pacer Kyle Jamieson and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Moreover, the series is set to start on November 5 and comes at a critical stage as the Kiwis continue to figure out their combinations ahead of a packed international schedule.

Jamieson and Sodhi strengthen bowling core

Pacer Kyle Jamieson’s comeback is a significant boost to New Zealand’s pace attack after his recent injury lay-off during the England series. The bowler is famous for his height and bounce, which have helped him get crucial breakthroughs. Moreover, Jamieson’s inclusion adds much-needed variety to the bowling unit. 

Ish Sodhi, who missed a few recent matches in the previous series, is also included in the squad for depth and experience in the spin department. His partnership with captain Mitchell Santner is expected to be important, especially in home conditions that often favor slower bowlers.

Meanwhile, pacer Matt Henry has been given a planned rest period to manage his workload ahead of the home Test season. The management has chosen to rotate key bowlers, ensuring freshness and preventing injuries ahead of major tournaments on the horizon.

T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.

Focus on new faces and future plans

Head coach Rob Walter’s selection hints at a forward-looking strategy, balancing experience with emerging talent. Moreover, Nathan Smith gets his maiden call-up for the T20I series. The squad also features the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, the two youngest players who have performed well in the shortest format of the game.

Without a few key players, such as Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips, who are out with injuries, the West Indies series presents an opportunity to assess the depth of the bench. Walter mentioned that the main thing will be to find the right team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be in India and Sri Lanka.