Mount Maunganui, New Zealand – New Zealand has announced a split captaincy arrangement for their upcoming five-match T20 International series against South Africa, beginning March 15th. Mitchell Santner will lead the side for the first three games, with Tom Latham taking the reins for the final two, a strategic move designed to manage player workload ahead of a busy international schedule. This decision comes as New Zealand navigates a period of rest and recovery for key players following recent commitments, including the ICC T20 World Cup.
The Black Caps are looking to build momentum as they begin a new World Cup cycle, and the series against South Africa provides a valuable opportunity to assess squad depth and experiment with combinations. Selector Gavin Larsen emphasized the pragmatic approach to squad selection, highlighting the team’s strength in various skillsets and the need to balance player rest with opportunities for emerging talent. The series will be played as a double-header alongside the New Zealand-South Africa women’s series, offering fans a full slate of international cricket action.
Squad Rotation and Injury Updates
Several players who recently participated in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka have been granted breaks to ensure they remain fresh for future tours, including a planned trip to Bangladesh in April-May, coinciding with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) windows, followed by winter tours to England and the West Indies. A number of fast bowlers are currently sidelined due to injury. Adam Milne (ankle), Blair Tickner (ankle), and Will O’Rourke (back) were not considered for selection, according to a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) statement. Michael Bracewell, who missed the T20 World Cup due to a calf injury, continues his rehabilitation.
Devon Conway is expected to take the wicketkeeping gloves for the first three matches, with Dane Cleaver, cousin of Kane Williamson, set to assume the role for the final two. Cleaver recently returned to action after missing the Ford Trophy final last month with back spasms, having scored 109 in a recent Plunket Shield match for Central Districts. Jayden Lennox, who impressed in his maiden ODI series against India in January, earning New Zealand their first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India, is poised to craft his T20I debut in the final two matches, replacing Santner as the frontline left-arm spinner.
New Caps and Returning Players
Northern Brave opening batter Katene Clarke has earned his first call-up to the Black Caps, rewarded for his outstanding form in the Super Smash competition, where he topped the run charts with 431 runs at a strike rate of just over 170. Clarke joins a select group of players to have scored multiple centuries in the Super Smash, alongside Will Young, Brendon McCullum, Conway, and Glenn Phillips. Nathan Smith, recovering from an injury, returns to the Black Caps side, though he is yet to be capped in T20Is. Bevon Jacobs, fresh off a record-breaking run of five consecutive fifties in the Super Smash, too has the opportunity to showcase his explosive power.
Cole McConchie, who proved to be an unexpected strike bowler during the T20 World Cup, and legspinner Ish Sodhi have been selected for all five T20Is. Jimmy Neesham and Josh Clarkson will provide seam-bowling all-rounder options, while Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears, who were reserve bowlers during the World Cup, could also feature in the series. Tim Robinson and Nick Kelly, the latter in line for an ODI debut, are potential top-order options.
Here’s a look at the full squad:
- Captain (Games 1-3): Mitchell Santner
- Captain (Games 4-5): Tom Latham
- Katene Clarke (Games 4-5)
- Josh Clarkson
- Dane Cleaver (wk) (Games 4-5)
- Devon Conway (wk) (Games 1-3)
- Lockie Ferguson (Games 2-3)
- Zak Foulkes
- Bevon Jacobs
- Kyle Jamieson
- Nick Kelly
- Jayden Lennox (Games 4-5)
- Cole McConchie
- Jimmy Neesham
- Tim Robinson
- Ben Sears
- Nathan Smith
- Ish Sodhi
According to Larsen, the South African team will be motivated after their semi-final loss in the recent World Cup. “It’s a great opportunity for Kiwi fans to see many of our guys back on the park so quickly after the World Cup,” Larsen said. “I know those in the squad are looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd again.”
The series against South Africa marks the beginning of a new chapter for New Zealand’s T20 side, with a focus on building depth and preparing for future challenges. The split captaincy and inclusion of new faces signal a commitment to innovation and player development as the team looks ahead to the next ICC T20 World Cup.
Share your thoughts on the squad selection and the split captaincy in the comments below!
