NEWS
Follow UsKane Williamson and Tim Southee are all set to play their fourth ODI World Cup as New Zealand name their final 15 for the mega event, with six players featuring in the tournament for the first time. Williamson and Southee first played in the tournament in 2011 and, since then, have played every single edition. In fact, Williamson led the Blackcaps in the 2019 edition, where his side finished second to England.
Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips feature in the ODI World Cup for the first time, having previously represented the side in the T20 World Cup. However, this is the first time all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and batter Will Young feature in senior World Cups.
Our 15 for the @cricketworldcup in India! More | https://t.co/D2jqxQxWeE #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/wIlzA5N3qU
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 10, 2023
Tom Latham has been named Williamson's deputy in the tournament and will don the gloves. He took a record-breaking 21 catches at the last event. Latham, Trent Boult and Matt Henry all feature in their third ODI World Cup.
Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, who represented their country for the first time in the 2019 edition, also find a place in the squad this time. Fast bowlers Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson, who are part of the ongoing series against England, miss out. As does opening batter Finn Allen.
Williamson, who had ruptured his achilles on his right knee in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year, has recovered in good time and was confirmed to lead the side by head coach Gary Stead last week.
Speaking of the squad, New Zealand Stead said, “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.
“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.”
Stead will lead the coaching group in India with regular assistants, batting coach Luke Ronchi and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen, who will join Wellington Firebirds as their head coach following the conclusion of the tournament. James Forster will be the assistant coach for the duration of the World Cup.
New Zealand kickstart their World Cup campaign against England on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. They will also play a couple of warm-up matches ahead of their tournament opener - against Pakistan in Hyderabad on September 29, followed by a game against South Africa on October 2 in Thiruvananthapuram.
They also play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh from September 21 to September 26 - all at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka.
New Zealand squad for World Cup: 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
