Australia tour of New Zealand (2025) - 3 T20Is

[BouncerGuy]

O’Rourke, Phillips & Allen ruled out of Australia series | Santner set for surgery

BLACKCAPS pace-bowler Will O’Rourke is set to be out of action for at least three months after scans revealed a stress fracture in his lower back.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury while bowling in the first Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month and subsequently returned home to undergo further assessment.

BLACKCAPS coach Rob Walter said O’Rourke will undergo a three-month strength and conditioning block before being reassessed to ascertain a return to bowling and to play.

“We’re really feeling for Will at the moment and wishing him speedy recovery,” he said.

“He’s had such an impressive start to his career and so naturally it is disappointing when an injury like this comes along, but he’s a resilient guy and determined to put the work in and come back stronger.”

The injury means O’Rourke won’t be available for the BLACKCAPS opening white-ball tours of the home summer against Australia (October 1 - 4), England (October 18 - 1 Nov) and the West Indies (Nov 5-22).

Alongside O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen have been ruled out of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval in the first week of October.

Phillips requires further rehabilitation on the groin injury that ruled him out of the Zimbabwe tour and will be reassessed in a month’s time to ascertain his potential return to play, while Allen is set for three months on the sideline after undergoing surgery on his right foot.

White-ball captain Mitchell Santner, who returned home from The Hundred over the weekend following groin pain, is set to have abdominal surgery with an expected recovery time of approximately one month making him touch and go for the Australian series.

“Mitch is a world class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view,”

“With that in mind we expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks' time, and from there we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series.

“It’s disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn who have played important batting roles in our T20 set up in recent times.

“Like in Zimbabwe, their unavailability will present opportunities for others to put their hands up in what’s going to be a hugely exciting and important series against Australia.”

In positive injury news, Wellington Firebirds pace-bowler Ben Sears has recovered from the side-strain that saw him miss the tour of Zimbabwe and is expected to be available for the start of the home summer.

The BLACKCAPS T20I squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series is set to be announced in the second week of September.

BLACKCAPS v Australia, Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Friday, 3 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Saturday, 4 October 2025, 19:15

 

[mominsaigol]

O’Rourke, Phillips & Allen ruled out of Australia series | Santner set for surgery

BLACKCAPS pace-bowler Will O’Rourke is set to be out of action for at least three months after scans revealed a stress fracture in his lower back.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury while bowling in the first Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month and subsequently returned home to undergo further assessment.

BLACKCAPS coach Rob Walter said O’Rourke will undergo a three-month strength and conditioning block before being reassessed to ascertain a return to bowling and to play.

“We’re really feeling for Will at the moment and wishing him speedy recovery,” he said.

“He’s had such an impressive start to his career and so naturally it is disappointing when an injury like this comes along, but he’s a resilient guy and determined to put the work in and come back stronger.”

The injury means O’Rourke won’t be available for the BLACKCAPS opening white-ball tours of the home summer against Australia (October 1 - 4), England (October 18 - 1 Nov) and the West Indies (Nov 5-22).

Alongside O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen have been ruled out of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval in the first week of October.

Phillips requires further rehabilitation on the groin injury that ruled him out of the Zimbabwe tour and will be reassessed in a month’s time to ascertain his potential return to play, while Allen is set for three months on the sideline after undergoing surgery on his right foot.

White-ball captain Mitchell Santner, who returned home from The Hundred over the weekend following groin pain, is set to have abdominal surgery with an expected recovery time of approximately one month making him touch and go for the Australian series.

“Mitch is a world class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view,”

“With that in mind we expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks' time, and from there we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series.

“It’s disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn who have played important batting roles in our T20 set up in recent times.

“Like in Zimbabwe, their unavailability will present opportunities for others to put their hands up in what’s going to be a hugely exciting and important series against Australia.”

In positive injury news, Wellington Firebirds pace-bowler Ben Sears has recovered from the side-strain that saw him miss the tour of Zimbabwe and is expected to be available for the start of the home summer.

The BLACKCAPS T20I squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series is set to be announced in the second week of September.

BLACKCAPS v Australia, Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Friday, 3 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Saturday, 4 October 2025, 19:15

Easy win for Australia if NZ has lost its main ace Allen

 

[BouncerGuy]

Australian Men's Squad for NZ Series as Starc retires from T20 International Cricket

Australian men’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 International cricket to focus on his Test and ODI career.

In Starc’s absence, selectors today named a squad for the upcoming New Zealand series.

In his 65 T20 Internationals Starc’s 79 wickets places him second on the all-time list for Australia behind Adam Zampa, demonstrating his importance to the Australian setup.

Mitchell Starc said: “Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority.

“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.

“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.

“It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament.”

Chair of national selectors George Bailey said: “Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia. He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup winning side and, as across all his cricket, had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket taking ability.

“We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focussed on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for a long as possible.”

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg praised Starc’s T20 career and decision to focus on Test and ODI cricket for the foreseeable future.

“It’s important to Mitch at this time of his career to make decisions which allow him to extend his Test and ODI careers as long as possible, which we fully support,” he said

“Mitch has prioritised playing for his country and made significant sacrifices. To allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path to the T20 World Cup early next year is another example of putting team first.

The New Zealand squad includes left-armer Ben Dwarshuis, a standout against South Africa, alongside Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott. Nathan Ellis misses the tour for the birth of his and wife Connie’s first child.

Mitch Owen returns from being concussed in the second game against South Africa with Matt Short named to return from a side strain. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis returns to the squad.

Pat Cummins will miss the series as part of his ongoing management plan leading into the summer.

Cummins was rested from recent T20 series against the West Indies and South Africa. Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour.

Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months.

Cummins won’t be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation.

Australian T20 Squad:

Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers/Fremantle Cricket Club) (c)

Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers/Parramatta District Cricket Club)

Xavier Bartlett (Brisbane Heat/Gold Coast Cricket Club)

Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes/Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club)

Ben Dwarshuis (Sydney Sixers/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Josh Hazlewood (Sydney Sixers/ St George Cricket Club)

Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)

Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Matt Kuhnemann (Brisbane Heat/Clarence Cricket Club)

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)

Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes/New Town Cricket Club)

Matthew Short (Adelaide Strikers/Northcote Cricket Club)

Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars/Scarborough Cricket Club)

Adam Zampa (Melbourne Renegades/Sutherland Cricket Club)

 

[Ball Blazer]

Williamson to miss Australia series under NZC casual agreement

Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming T20I series against Australia but is committed to playing in the T20 World Cup after signing a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) alongside Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert.

New Zealand have locked in five white-ball players to casual playing contracts less than six months out from the start of the next T20 World Cup.
Five of New Zealand's best white-ball performers have agreed to a casual playing contact and committed to next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert and Kane Williamson all agreed to terms for the casual contract, which means they are committed to play for New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka and a specified number of series and games in the lead-up to the tournament.

The quintet will all be available for selection for upcoming T20I series against Australia, England, and the West Indies, though Williamson has made himself unavailable for the series with the Aussies.

During the casual contract the five players will receive access to all the services that those on full-time contracts receive and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink said it was crucial to lock in the stars wit the next edition of the T20 World Cup less than six months away.

“With such a pinnacle event on the horizon we wanted to ensure our best T20 players were ready and available to push for inclusion,” he said.

“The casual agreements are a commitment from the players to NZC and the Black Caps, and in return NZC will offer our full support to these players as part of our high-performance system.

“The message from the players is that playing for the Black Caps is hugely important to them and I’m pleased we’ve been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season.

“Rob (New Zealand coach Rob Walter) and the team have a massive period of cricket ahead, home and away, and I know myself along with all of our fans can’t wait to follow and support."

Kiwi stars take casual contracts, commit for T20 World Cup | ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 | ICC

New Zealand have locked in five white-ball players to casual playing contracts less than six months out from the start of the next T20 World Cup.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[sweep_shot]

Easy win for Australia if NZ has lost its main ace Allen

It should be a win for Australia even if Allen plays.

 

[mominsaigol]

It should be a win for Australia even if Allen plays.

Australia in t20 is a powerhouse. They are struggling big time in odi though

 

[Katwalindian]

Australia in t20 is a powerhouse. They are struggling big time in odi though

Australia favourites for t20 world cup

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The BLACKCAPS pace-bowling stocks have been bolstered by the return of Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears for the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval in the first week of October.

Jamieson, who missed the recent BLACKCAPS series in Zimbabwe to welcome the birth of his first child, joins in-form seamer Matt Henry, ICC number one ranked T20I bowler Jacob Duffy, Canterbury’s Zak Foulkes, and Sears in the seam attack.

Sears was ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour with a side injury and returns to face Australia having made his Test debut against them in 2023-24 home season, while Jamieson is set to face the trans-Tasman rivals for the first time since the 2021, when the BLACKCAPS claimed the KFC T20I series 3-2 at home.

Michael Bracewell will lead the T20I team in the absence of white-ball captain Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out of the series following abdominal surgery and will instead target a return in England’s white-ball tour later in the month.

Bracewell has led the BLACKCAPS T20I side on 10 occasions, registering six wins, three losses and a no-result, with the most recent series at home in March resulting in a 4-1 victory over Pakistan.

Bevon Jacobs has retained his spot in the T20I team, after the 23-year-old impressed on debut with 44* not-out off 30 balls against South Africa during the recent T20I Tri Series in Zimbabwe.

Devon Conway maintains his place after being called in as an injury replacement in Zimbabwe, while Tim Seifert continues as the batter-wicketkeeper and will enter the series in good form after smashing the fastest century in the history of the Caribbean Premier League for the St Lucia Kings earlier this month.

Tim Robinson retains his batting spot after a player of the match performance against South Africa in the Tri Series, while Ish Sodhi snares the specialist spinner role, after claiming six wickets across his two T20Is in Zimbabwe – becoming the third men’s player in the world to 150 T20I wickets.

Alongside Santner, Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), were unavailable due to injury.

Kane Williamson, who on Monday was confirmed to play on an NZC international casual playing agreement this season, made himself unavailable for the Australia series.

Bracewell said the side was motivated by the prospect of creating some history in the upcoming series.

“The Chappell-Hadlee Series is a great way to start the summer,” he said.

“I grew up watching those series and the rivalry is massive between New Zealand and Australia.

“Since 2016 it [the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy] hasn’t been with us, and that’s something we want to change. Having the opportunity to fight for that on home soil is pretty special.”

Bracewell believed the ‘20 years of T20I’ celebrations at Bay Oval and the form of both sides would make for an entertaining few days in the Mount.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since that first ever T20 International at Eden Park,” he said.

“It's amazing to see how far the format has come and I know both sides are looking forward to marking the milestone in style at Bay Oval, which apparently they’re nicknaming beige oval for the series.

“I really need to plan ahead, as it takes a bit of time to grow something like this [a moustache] on my face. I’m trying my best to get into the spirit of that 2005 team and the way they went about it 20 years ago.

“Australia has been playing some really good cricket of late, and so have we, so it should make for an amazing series and a great occasion to be a part of.”

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I series against Australia gets underway at 7:15pm on Wednesday October 1 at Bay Oval in Tauranga, with games two and three at the same venue on Friday October 3 and Saturday October 4, respectively.

The series will be broadcast live and free-to-air in New Zealand on TVNZ+, TVNZ 1, and TVNZ DUKE, with Sport Nation and the Alternative Commentary Collective providing audio commentary.

Tickets for the three-game series are selling fast with fans encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid missing out.



BLACKCAPS T20I squad

Michael Bracewell (c)

Mark Chapman

Devon Conway

Jacob Duffy

Zak Foulkes

Matt Henry

Bevon Jacobs

Kyle Jamieson

Daryl Mitchell

Rachin Ravindra

Tim Robinson

Ben Sears

Tim Seifert

Ish Sodhi



Australia T20I squad

Mitchell Marsh (c)

Sean Abbott

Xavier Bartlett

Tim David

Ben Dwarshuis

Josh Hazlewood

Travis Head

Josh Inglis

Matt Kuhnemann

Glenn Maxwell

Mitchell Owen

Matthew Short

Marcus Stoinis

Adam Zampa



Chappell-Hadlee Trophy KFC T20I Series

1st T20I - Weds Oct 1 - 7.15pm - Bay Oval, Tauranga
2nd T20I - Fri Oct 3 - 7.15pm - Bay Oval, Tauranga
3rd T20I - Sat Oct 4 - 7.15pm - Bay Oval, Tauranga

 

[sweep_shot]

Looking forward to this series. Both sides have great T20 teams. Should be a good series.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Forced change for Australia ahead of New Zealand T20Is

Australian wicket-keeper to miss T20I series away in New Zealand, with a replacement named.

Australia have been forced into a change with the gloves ahead of their T20I series in New Zealand beginning on October 1.

Josh Inglis will miss the tour due to a calf strain, with Alex Carey called up to replace him.

Inglis complained of a right calf issue after a running session in Perth earlier this week, and after scans was ruled out of the series to be played in Mount Maunganui.

Cricket Australia intend on placing the wicket-keeper/batter on specialised program, hopeful of his return for a home white-ball stand against India beginning with the first of three ODIs on October 19.

It's not the first calf injury for Carey, who also broke down while featuring as a sub-fielder in last year's Boxing Day Test against India.

An integral part of Australia’s white-ball line-ups, Inglis' fitness also forces the Australians into a red-ball assessment, given the wicket-keeper will likely back-up Carey over the home Ashes summer.

Australia T20I squad v New Zealand

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Kuhnemann

ICC

 

[mominsaigol]

Forced change for Australia ahead of New Zealand T20Is

Australian wicket-keeper to miss T20I series away in New Zealand, with a replacement named.

Australia have been forced into a change with the gloves ahead of their T20I series in New Zealand beginning on October 1.

Josh Inglis will miss the tour due to a calf strain, with Alex Carey called up to replace him.

Inglis complained of a right calf issue after a running session in Perth earlier this week, and after scans was ruled out of the series to be played in Mount Maunganui.

Cricket Australia intend on placing the wicket-keeper/batter on specialised program, hopeful of his return for a home white-ball stand against India beginning with the first of three ODIs on October 19.

It's not the first calf injury for Carey, who also broke down while featuring as a sub-fielder in last year's Boxing Day Test against India.

An integral part of Australia’s white-ball line-ups, Inglis' fitness also forces the Australians into a red-ball assessment, given the wicket-keeper will likely back-up Carey over the home Ashes summer.

Australia T20I squad v New Zealand

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Kuhnemann

ICC

Strong squad but the issue will always remain bowling. Aus is struggling from that front.

Batting wise its a powerhouse squad for t20

 

[sweep_shot]

Strong squad but the issue will always remain bowling. Aus is struggling from that front.

Batting wise its a powerhouse squad for t20

T20 has damaged Australian domestic system.

Before T20 days, Australia had a factory of quality bowlers.

Anyway, they still have a very strong system. I hope they will find some good bowlers again.

 

[mominsaigol]

T20 has damaged Australian domestic system.

Before T20 days, Australia had a factory of quality bowlers.

Anyway, they still have a very strong system. I hope they will find some good bowlers again.

They play alot of test cricket. Their is no reason why they cant curate test specialists and who can play odi as well.

 

[sweep_shot]

They play alot of test cricket. Their is no reason why they cant curate test specialists and who can play odi as well.

Good point.

I expect Australia to eventually find some good bowlers. They always do.

Even in 2010, they had a period like this. They were struggling to find effective pacers. They found Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood a few years later.

I guess they are going through a transition.

 

[mominsaigol]

Good point.

I expect Australia to eventually find some good bowlers. They always do.

Even in 2010, they had a period like this. They were struggling to find effective pacers. They found Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood a few years later.

I guess they are going through a transition.

The fact that their still a world beater side despite undergoing a transition says alot about them

 

[mominsaigol]

Can't wait for this series.

Australia vs our neighbours.

 

[baba ghazi]

Australia favourites for t20 world cup

in india conditions india is huge favourite.. bumrah arshdeep varun and kuldeep, if all 4 play this will be the best attack along with Pandya