New Zealand Announces 2024 T20 World Cup Squad Led by Williamson
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has revealed its provisional squad of 15 players for the 2024 T20 World Cup, captained by Kane Williamson.
With only Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra scheduled to compete in their first T20 World Cup, New Zealand names an experienced 15-man roster.
With Kane Williamson leading an experienced group, Devon Conway has been included in New Zealand‘s initial 15-man 2024 T20 World Cup roster. Adam Milne, the fast bowler, has been ruled out due to an ankle injury that required surgery.
Veteran players Tim Southee and Trent Boult are also included in the team; Southee has been selected to participate in his eighth T20 World Cup. The only players on the team without a T20 World Cup experience are Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra.Ben Sears is the 16th traveling reserve that has been announced.
Due to his thumb injury sustained in February, Conway was not yet ready to play in the Indian Premier League. Conway went to India to practice with Chennai Super Kings even though he was not allowed to play in the Indian Premier League. He has resumed batting and participated in some wicketkeeping drills. He will start the World Cup for New Zealand as their first-choice keeper.
After missing New Zealand’s last two Twenty20 international series—the home series against Australia in February due to the birth of his third child and the Pakistan tour due to IPL obligations—Williamson, meantime, is back in charge of the team.
After needing surgery for the injured ankle that kept him out of the Pakistan tour, Milne was declared ineligible. Even though Milne’s injury was terrible, New Zealand coach Gary Stead said it had made the selectors’ job of choosing the final 15 easier.
“I think the injury to Adam Milne was really tough on him but it probably made it easier for us in some ways in terms of getting the squad that we wanted,” Stead stated.
“We were able to ascertain quite rapidly that he needed ankle surgery. Fortunately, he no longer has it, although he will be absent for around 10 to 12 weeks.” Due to his ongoing lengthy recuperation from a second stress fracture in his lower back, Kyle Jamieson is also not available.
The back issue that prevented Finn Allen from participating in the Pakistan tour has healed. Only four players from that tour—Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, and James Neesham—have reached the New Zealand squad. Although it was tough to break the news to some of the players who had shown promise during the 2-2 drew series in Pakistan, Stead emphasized that it was positive news for New Zealand’s future.
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“I think when you go to World Cups you want experience and you want people that know what it’s like,” Stead stated. That doesn’t, in fact, discount those who have truly raised their hands. That, in my opinion, is what has made the tour to Pakistan so fascinating.
Some younger players have shown us some amazing performances, which bodes very well for our future. And I told them, “Look, you guys haven’t been picked for the team, but there’s a World Cup coming up in two years, so that should be a big enough carrot for you guys to put pressure on these guys who are here right now.”
Though both are full-time franchise players, Stead acknowledged that the selectors had explored the prospect of recalling veteran batters Colin Munro and Martin Guptill. However, the selection committee decided to remain with a group that has been together on a regular basis recently.
“Those guys were discussed because of the experience they have,” Stead explained. “But when you look at the group of batters that we’ve selected, there was no room for them.”
