New Zealand Cricket has unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series involving South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe, marking the return of fast bowlers Adam Milne and Matt Henry. The series, scheduled to be played from July 14-26 in Harare, will be the first assignment for new Black Caps head coach Rob Walter.
Key Returns Bolster Pace Attack
The most significant inclusions are Adam Milne, returning to the international setup for the first time since November last year, and Matt Henry, who makes a comeback following a shoulder injury that sidelined him after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Milne’s recent impressive form in Major League Cricket (MLC), where he claimed 9 wickets in 4 matches for Texas Super Kings, has clearly played a role in his recall. Henry, a key figure in New Zealand’s pace battery, will add crucial experience.
Their return is particularly vital given the unavailability of several other frontline pacers. Ben Sears is out due to injury, Lockie Ferguson has been rested for workload management, and Kyle Jamieson is unavailable as he awaits the birth of his first child.
Uncapped Bevon Jacobs Earns a Spot
Exciting uncapped batter Bevon Jacobs has retained his place in the squad. The 23-year-old, who was part of the squad that faced Sri Lanka in December but didn’t get a game, will be looking to make his Black Caps debut. Jacobs has been a strong performer in domestic cricket and has gained experience in franchise leagues.
Notable Absentees and Captaincy
Mitchell Santner will captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Kane Williamson, who has made himself unavailable for the series due to commitments with Middlesex and London Spirit in England. Devon Conway and Mitch Hay also miss out, with Tim Seifert set to take the gloves behind the stumps.
Other key players like Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Ish Sodhi provide a strong mix of batting and all-round options.
Full New Zealand Squad for Tri-Series:
Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
Coach Walter’s First Assignment and T20 World Cup Preparation
This tri-series marks Rob Walter’s debut as head coach for the Black Caps. Walter expressed confidence in the squad, emphasizing the blend of experience and potential. He highlighted the importance of the series as a crucial step in their build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
“We’ve got some good experience in the side and it’s nice to be able to welcome back a few of the players who missed the March series against Pakistan because of the IPL,” Walter stated. “It should be a great T20 Tri Series with South Africa who are a very strong side and Zimbabwe who play well at home in their own conditions.”
He further added that the series will provide an opportunity to “test the breadth of our squad, explore different players and potentially different combinations against some quality opposition.”
The tri-series will feature a double round-robin format, with the top two teams progressing to the final.
