All-rounder Michael Bracewell and wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Cleaver earned New Zealand’s first call-up for the upcoming white-ball home series against the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Bracewell turned down an opportunity to tour Bangladesh in September last year as he awaits the birth of his first child. The 31-year-old has been selected in both the teams, but Cleaver has been selected for only one T20I. Both Bracewell and Cleaver were the top two run-scorers in this season’s Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, scoring 478 and 369 runs respectively.
Bracewell is in line to become the fourth member of his family to play for New Zealand after his uncles John and Brendan and his cousin Doug, who are both part of the white-ball squads.
“Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their picks on the back of another quality home season,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead.
“Michael is a brilliant ball-striker who can blend touch with his power, while his right-handed offbreak is an asset to any side. The Dane… has been the stand-out wicketkeeper-batsman of Super Smash in recent years. We felt the Dane had loads of consistent runs and the role he could play in the top-order gave him a slight edge.”
Fast bowlers Ben Sears and Scott Kuggeleijn were also named in the T20I squad, with 12 New Zealand first-choice players missing from the series to participate in IPL 2022.
“Anytime you lose 12 front-liners it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re really excited with the players we’ve been able to call on. With another T20 World Cup later this year and the ODI World Cup next year, it is a good time to provide opportunities to a wider group of players,” Stead said.
Meanwhile, the ODI series will be the farewell of Ross Taylor, as he is set to retire from international cricket after its conclusion. Taylor is part of the only ODI squad along with Henry Nicholls and Kyle Jamieson.
The tour begins with a one-off T20I in Napier on 25 March, with the three-match ODI series – which will be a part of the One Day Super League – starting on 29 March at Mount Maunganui. Tom Latham will lead both sides. The absence of regular captain Kane Williamson.
ODI squad: Tom Latham (c, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Will Young
T20I squad: Tom Latham (c, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
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