Fresh Chennai Super Kings recruit and talented New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been rested for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting on January 12 in Auckland. BlackCaps coach Gary Stead has said Rachin has been "touring non-stop" and is in need of rest. (AUS Vs PAK Scorecard | More Cricket News)
“Rachin’s a young player who has immense value to New Zealand Cricket and we therefore want to look after his wellbeing. He’s the only player or staff member to have been touring non-stop for the past five months across five countries and that’s simply not sustainable," Stead said.
“He’s still very much part of our thinking for the T20 World Cup in June and will come back into the reckoning for the T20 series against Australia in February,” the coach added.
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Meanwhile, after being ruled out with his hamstring injury during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, fast bowler Matt Henry will make his return to the international circuit. Henry has been named in the 13-member NZ T20I squad.
The 32-year-old joins captain Kane Williamson and southpaw Devon Conway who also return, having rested during the Bangladesh leg of their home summer. Williamson will miss the third T20I of the series to manage the knee issue that has affected him for most of the last 12 months. The uncapped Josh Clarkson has been called in as cover for the third match and Mitchell Santner is set to stand in as captain.
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Lockie Ferguson will join the squad from the third game onwards.
Stead has placed an emphasis on the Pakistan series, with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 around the corner. “With just three T20I series left before the T20 World Cup, all matches are vitally important for our preparation. Starting the series off at Eden Park (Auckland) on a Friday night will be a great occasion and one I know the team will relish," he said.
Ben Sears has been included for the opening two matches to accomodate for Ferguson, while Kyle Jamieson and Michael Bracewell sit out, recovering from hamstring and achilles injury respectively. Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham were unavailable for selection.
The New Zealand T20I squad for Pakistan will meet in Auckland on 9 January.
New Zealand's T20I Squad: Kane Williamson (C) (matches 1, 2, 4 and 5), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (match 3 only), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5), Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2), Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
