New Zealand’s national cricket team, the Black Caps, have announced a strengthened 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Scheduled to begin next month at Harare Sports Club, the series is viewed as a key preparation step for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
Several key players have returned to the squad after missing the recent T20I series against Pakistan due to their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.
Captain Mitchell Santner, big-hitting batter Glenn Phillips, and dynamic all-rounder Rachin Ravindra are all back in the lineup, bringing crucial experience and T20 expertise to the side as it gears up for the high-stakes global tournament.
The squad also includes uncapped batter Bevon Jacobs, a promising young talent aiming to impress at the international level. Fast bowler Adam Milne has also made his return, boosting the team’s pace attack.
However, the squad will be without Ben Sears due to a side injury, Lockie Ferguson due to load management, and Kyle Jamieson for family reasons. Veteran batter Kane Williamson remains unavailable.
The series also marks a new chapter for the Black Caps with Rob Walter taking charge as head coach. He expressed confidence in the selected squad and emphasized the importance of building team unity ahead of the World Cup.
He believed the tri-series would allow the team to reconnect and refine its gameplay, noting the importance of having several key players back in action.
Walter also highlighted the competitive nature of the tri-series, pointing out the strength of South Africa and the home advantage Zimbabwe could bring.
He was looking forward to using the opportunity to test squad depth and try various player combinations. He stressed that every series leading up to the T20 World Cup was crucial for preparation.
New Zealand will begin their tri-series campaign against South Africa on July 16 in Harare. Fans can expect an exciting series as the three sides battle not only for bragging rights but also for momentum heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.
New Zealand Squad: Mitch Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
Fixtures (All at Harare Sports Club):
July 14: Zimbabwe vs South Africa
July 16: South Africa vs New Zealand
July 18: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
July 20: Zimbabwe vs South Africa
July 22: New Zealand vs South Africa
July 24: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
July 26: Final