New Zealand announced a 14-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia. Pacer Trent Boult returned to the team after almost three months. Kane Williamson, the team’s regular captain, will miss the series due to paternity leave.
The first match will be held in Wellington on February 21. But Bolt will not play in this match. He will be seen in the jersey of New Zealand in the next two matches. He has not played any match for the national team since the World Cup. Bolt is currently playing in the international T20 league in the United Arab Emirates.
If Bolt’s team reaches the final there, he will return home after playing that match. As such, the left handed Kiwi pacer will get only 6 days break before taking the field for the national team. He will play in the second T20 match in Auckland. After losing to Pakistan in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, Bolt did not play any more international T20 matches.
Darryl Mitchell is also not in the team for this series against the Aussies. He has been suffering from a leg injury for a long time. His rehabilitation process is going on for the last six to seven years. However, Mitchell can return to the team in the two-match Test series against Australia starting from February 29.
New Zealand T20 squad against Australia:
Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (2nd and 3rd T20I), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Rabindra, Tim Seifert ( Wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (1st T20I).
