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New Zealand announces squad for historic T20 Top End series [Source: AFP]
In a historic development, the New Zealand A team will travel to Australia for a unique white-ball series, which is rare in international cricket. The Kiwis have revealed their 16-member squad, with 13 international players taking part in a T20 series they have never played before, as well as ODI matches.
Interestingly, the ODI series won’t be played against the hosts, Australia, but rather with their domestic teams and an international side: Tasmania, South Australia, and Nepal.
New Zealand squad revealed for historic Top Ends T20I series and ODIs
The Kiwis revealed their 16-member A squad for the Top End T20 series, and the ODI tour of Australia. Some of the rising stars, who performed exceedingly well in the ODIs against India and the West Indies, have been added to the team for the Australia tour.
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The big international names in the Kiwi squad includes: Kristian Clarke, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Adithya Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Muhammad Abbas, Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Bevon Jacobs and Rhys Mariu.
The likes of Kristian Clarke and Jayden Lennox were outstanding in the series against India, and they’ll be aiming to deliver the goods in the ODIs and T20 series for their tour Down Under.
The Kiwi batting lineup includes some power-hitters, with Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, and Mitch Hay picked. Lennox and Adithya Ashok are strengthening the spin department, as the Black Caps have picked a strong team.
New Zealand's 16-member A squad list for the Australia tour
Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Katene Clarke (T20 only), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu (50-overs only), Tim Robinson.
What is the Top End T20 series?
The Top End T20 series began in 2022 in Australia, and it provides a pathway to high-performance teams and T20 franchises. The 2026 edition will feature nine top teams, and the competition will run from August 21 to August 30 in Darwin.
Apart from New Zealand A, the other teams taking part in the competition are: Nepal, Bangladesh A, Chicago Kingsmen, Australian Capital Territory, Cricket Victoria, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and Northern Territory Strike.
The Top End T20 series will have six round-robin games before the semis and the final take place.
New Zealand A to play ODI series after Top End series concludes
Once the riveting T20 tournament ends, the Kiwis will take part in a three-match ODI series, but against Nepal, South Australia, and Tasmania, which again makes the series unique.
The matches will take place on September 2, September 4, and September 6, and all the matches will take place at Marrara Cricket Ground 2 in Darwin.
The series provides New Zealand A players a chance to get used to the Australian wickets, and also, some of the rising stars will get a taste of the tricky Australian wickets as the New Zealand Cricket Board aims to help their players get better in away conditions.
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