New Zealand have preferred Will Young over Finn Allen in their 15-man squad for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Pacers Kyle Jamieson and Adam Milne, who was ruled out of the ODI series against England, also miss out. Trent Boult and James Neesham, both without a central contract, have made the cut.
Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry make up the pace department along with all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Neesham. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner are the specialist spinners in the side. Michael Bracewell, the spin-bowling all-rounder, was unavailable for selection after suffering a right achilles injury that’s sidelined him for six to right months, and that opened doors for Neesham’s selection in the squad.
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc,wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
“We felt that Youngy was the right guy to go with,” head coach Gary Stead was quoted as saying. “We just felt that we looked through what the potential gameplan was looking like in India, looked at the grounds, and also looked at the form of the two players as well.
The squad will be led by Kane Williamson, who continues to recover from his ACL injury, but there’s still no date in place for his return. Tom Latham, the vice-captain of the side, will continue to lead until Williamson is available.
It will be the fourth World Cup appearance for Williamson and Southee. Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips have been picked in an ODI World Cup squad for the first time whereas Rachin Ravindra and Young have been selected in their first ever senior World Cup squad.
“It’s always a special time to name a tournament team and I’d like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. It’s a great honour to represent your country at a World Cup,” Stead further said. “From Kane and Tim heading to their fourth tournament to the guys selected for the first time it’s always a very exciting time.”
“As with any squad named for an ICC tournament, there have been some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players.
“The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive tournament.”
All teams have until September 28 to finalise their 15-player squads and any replacements after this will need approval from the ICC.