NZ vs BAN T20: Depleted New Zealand will take on Bangladesh in three-match T20I series beginning March 28. However, with many first-team players leaving for IPL 2021, the Kiwis will be without their main players for the series. In their absence, Tim Southee will lead the side.
Finn Allen, who has signed for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, has been given a maiden call-up to the national T20 squad. Meaning, he will miss the first few games of the IPL for RCB.
The 21-year-old opener had a breakthrough season in the Super Smash, top-scoring in the league with 512 runs at an average of 56 and an incredible strike-rate of 193. Apart from him, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne have also returned to the squad following their injury lay-offs.
Similar to Allen, Ferguson and Milne will depart for the IPL immediately after the Bangladesh T20 series, where they will join Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert for the IPL 2021.
“It’s certainly been a season like no other and once again we’ve had to be pragmatic in our approach. The six guys who will miss this series are incumbents in our T20 side and the decision to give them some time at home with family before they embark on a long stint in India, was principally made with their welfare in mind,” selector Gavin Larsen said.
“We’re also very aware of the need to give others opportunities in a World Cup year and it’s great to be able to introduce Finn and Will to the set-up, as well as welcome back Lockie and Adam. It’s especially an exciting time for Finn, who will be getting his first taste of the BLACKCAPS environment,” he added.
New Zealand T20 squad for Bangladesh series:
Tim Southee (c), Finn Allen, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Will Young
NZ vs BAN T20 Schedule:
1st T20: Sunday, March 28, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 2pm
2nd T20: Tuesday, March 30, McLean Park, Napier, 7pm
3rd T20: Thursday, April 1, Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm