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New Zealand announce squads for series against Pakistan/Pakistan A in UAE in late 2018

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Abdullah719

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Central Stags left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is in line to make his BLACKCAPS debut after being named in the Test squad to play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

The 29-year-old, named last season’s Domestic Player of the Year after helping the Stags to the Plunket Shield title, has been called into the squad as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, who is still recovering from knee surgery.

Patel has been the Plunket Shield’s top wicket-taker for the past three seasons, in the most recent campaign snaring 48 wickets at 21.52.

He has also been named in the NZ A squad, which will tour the UAE ahead of the BLACKAPS, playing three T20s, three 50-over games and two first-class matches against Pakistan A.

Selectors Gavin Larsen, and Mike Hesson – in his last assignment for NZC before stepping down from his BLACKCAPS head coach role at the end of this month, today announced the Test, ODI, T20 and NZ A squads for the UAE tour, which will start in mid-October.

Larsen said the tour presented a good opportunity for Patel, who will join Todd Astle and Ish Sodhi as a front-line spinner in the 15-strong Test squad.

“Ajaz has deserved his inclusion on the sheer weight of his domestic first-class form over the past couple of summers,” said Larsen.

“With Mitch Santner not fully recovered yet from his knee surgery, it’s nice to have both wrist (Astle and Sodhi) and finger (Patel) spin options, given the likely conditions in the UAE.”

The selectors opted to include a second wicket-keeper in Tom Blundell alongside BJ Watling in the Test squad.

Watling has also been selected in the ODI squad to play three matches against Pakistan, with two players to be added later – either from the T20 or the NZ A sections of the tour.

The BLACKCAPS T20 squad will also draw on two further players from NZ A, one of whom will replace front-line paceman Trent Boult, who will be on paternity leave.

Boult will join the tour for the ODI and Test series.

The NZ A squad will feature first-time selections for Patel, pace bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner, and NZ Under 19 representative, Rachin Ravindra.

Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman and Lockie Ferguson will play the T20s for NZ A before moving into the BLACKCAPS’ T20 camp.

Larsen said with NZC placing a bigger emphasis on the “A” programme, it was an exciting time for the country’s emerging players, and an excellent opportunity to develop and expand their capabilities.

“This is a great opportunity for us to expose our emerging players to foreign conditions and help develop and expand their games,” he said.

“Given India A will also be visiting New Zealand over the summer, there is a lot to play for.”

The NZ A squad will leave for the UAE in October, followed a few weeks later by the bulk of the BLACKCAPS squad members.

BLACKCAPS T20 Squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Mark Chapman
Colin de Grandhomme
Lockie Ferguson
Martin Guptill
Adam Milne
Colin Munro
Seth Rance
Tim Seifert
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Two to be added from NZ A

BLACKCAPS ODI Squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Todd Astle
Trent Boult
Colin de Grandhomme
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Colin Munro
Henry Nicholls
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
BJ Watling
Two to be added from NZA/BC T20 Squads

BLACKCAPS Test Squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Todd Astle
Tom Blundell
Trent Boult
Colin de Grandhomme
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Henry Nicholls
Ajaz Patel
Jeet Raval
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Neil Wagner
BJ Watling

NZ A Squad
Corey Anderson
Todd Astle (T20s, One-Day, and first FC match)
Tom Blundell
Tom Bruce
Mark Chapman (T20 only)
Lockie Ferguson (T20 only)
Kyle Jamieson
Scott Kuggeleijn
Ajaz Patel
Glenn Phillips (T20 and One-Day)
Jeet Raval (FC matches)
Rachin Ravindra
Tim Seifert (T20 and second FC match)
Blair Tickner
Logan van Beek (One-Day and FC matches)
George Worker
Will Young
Neil Wagner (Second FC match)
BJ Watling (One-Day and first FC match)

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/ajaz-patel-named-in-test-squad
 
Dipak Patel, Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel. Any other NZ spinner(s) I'm missing, or is that it so far?
 
I had no idea Pakistan A was getting some games. Hopefully we see some good selections.

Chief Destroyer said:
We need a second spinner to tie them down. Winning this series is a must for Pakistan.
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Think they will play Yasir and Shadab. Not sure if Shadab can play the 'tie them down' role though

Someone like Zafar, Asghar or maybe Nawaz could hypothetically get in the team if they get selected for the A team and do well there. I hope Zafar gets the nod
 
Good team. I put them as favorites for the series. Our batting will struggle against their bowlers.
 
Pak matches are never updated on any Cricket website. No mention of how many Tests or one days will be played.
 
Santner is a big loss, nothing else is surprising as we're pretty settled.

Latham should come into his own in the UAE, he looked world class in India and scored heavily in the Tests against Pakistan.
 
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For all those people who critised Pak team for loosing in NZ .. and were calling Pak should play stronger teams like Nz being one of them.. lets see how NZ performs in the desert.
 
shariqnoor said:
Good team. I put them as favorites for the series. Our batting will struggle against their bowlers.
Click to expand...
Are you serious? Do you realise games will be played in UAE. NZ batting looks thin.
 
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gazza619 said:
Are you serious? Do you realise games will be played in UAE. NZ batting looks thin.
Click to expand...

Yes I perfectly realize that the matches are in UAE. And so were they back in 2014 when they absolutely demolished us in Sharjah despite us having our best Test team with Younis and Misbah in the ranks. We are certainly worse off in Tests than we were in 2014.

The only thing that goes in our favor is that NZ will be undercooked. Haven't played much cricket, especially Test matches so if we have to win this series we better exploit their rustiness.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New Zealand Cricket email announcing their squad says the series against Pakistan will be played in UAE - PCB is still working on trying to get some of the matches played in Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvNZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1022041234632835072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Pakistan has to beat this new Zealand side in every format. Pakistan's odi record in UAE is not that good against top teams which have to start improving from here on.
 
Any idea how many 50 over matches are scheduled between Pak A and NZ A sides?
 
It's embarrassing that they have announced the squad before we have announced the schedule. We need to fix it up.
 
First of all i have little hopes that new players will be tried in A side
2nd Why is A side playing UAE what will they get from playing UAE , NZ A will benefit by playing spinners not Pak A
 
A tours? :najam

Also [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] the cricket section seems pretty quiet. It's almost as if a certain cricketer is about to become PM...
 
mak36 said:
A tours? :najam

Also [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] the cricket section seems pretty quiet. It's almost as if a certain cricketer is about to become PM...
Click to expand...

Cricket has taken a back-seat for now, we're onto page 106 of GE18 :ik
 
I am really looking forward to the 'A' series, especially as NZ have put forward a strong squad.

The 'A' series will give us a good idea of who is on the fringes of the national team.
 
mak36 said:
I am really looking forward to the 'A' series, especially as NZ have put forward a strong squad.

The 'A' series will give us a good idea of who is on the fringes of the national team.
Click to expand...

Reports are salman butt is keen to be inculded in pakistan A squad .i will not be too excited until i saw good young squad without international failure like khurram manzoor,iftikhar ahmed are not part of it
 
This series is important. We have been without Misbah and Younis for more than a year so that is no longer an excuse. We need to win the test series. The ODI series is very important as we need to show we can perform against the top teams. We have struggled for years against the top teams in bilateral series. Winning against 1 could improve the players confidence.

This NZ looks good. Should be a good series.
 
He's just steps away from doing what he does best, but Mitchell Santner will be sitting on the other side of the boundary line for a while yet.

The Blackcaps camps are well under way in preparation for their up-coming series against Pakistan, but they'll be without the services of Santner, recovering from a serious knee injury.

"I guess it's up in the air at the moment," says the bowling all-rounder. "We're taking it scan by scan to see how the bone actually looks."

This was the grim reality Santner had to face, after a career-defining summer with both bat and ball.

I guess we had quite a lot of cricket during the summer - I do remember it swelling up at some stage, I think it was in Nelson.

"We had a scan that showed the knee was OK and then a month later, it was not OK."

Fast forward five months and Santer's finding the positives in only being able to work on one thing.

"Throughout the season, I don't want to be working on too much technical stuff, so it's a good opportunity now to iron out my batting."

And he's ensuring his replacement - 29-year-old Ajaz Patel - is well aware what to expect in the vastly different conditions of Duabi.

"He did speak a lot about how a lot of international spinners are bowling in the sub-continent, and around what they're trying to do and what their game plans are," says Patel.

He's just steps away from doing what he does best, but Mitchell Santner will be sitting on the other side of the boundary line for a while yet.

The Blackcaps camps are well under way in preparation for their up-coming series against Pakistan, but they'll be without the services of Santner, recovering from a serious knee injury.

"I guess it's up in the air at the moment," says the bowling all-rounder. "We're taking it scan by scan to see how the bone actually looks."

This was the grim reality Santner had to face, after a career-defining summer with both bat and ball.

Central Stag Ajaz Patel named in Blackcaps test squad for Pakistan seriesGary Stead confirmed as new Blackcaps coachNew Zealand Cricket says no to first Pakistan tour in 15 years

"I guess we had quite a lot of cricket during the summer - I do remember it swelling up at some stage, I think it was in Nelson.

"We had a scan that showed the knee was OK and then a month later, it was not OK."

Fast forward five months and Santer's finding the positives in only being able to work on one thing.

"Throughout the season, I don't want to be working on too much technical stuff, so it's a good opportunity now to iron out my batting."

And he's ensuring his replacement - 29-year-old Ajaz Patel - is well aware what to expect in the vastly different conditions of Duabi.

"He did speak a lot about how a lot of international spinners are bowling in the sub-continent, and around what they're trying to do and what their game plans are," says Patel.

"He's been there, done that and seen it, so it's quite cool to have that advice from him."

Santner says: "I'm sharing those little things here and there, but I'm sure he'll pick it up pretty quick over there."

November's tour to the United Arab Emirates marks the start of a very long summer for the Black Caps - a summer Mitchell Santner hopes he can spin his way into sooner, rather than later.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/spor...s-mitchell-santner-on-blackcaps-boundary.html
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Getting the week going with some hard grind from the BLACKCAPS camp at Lincoln the past week. We leave for the UAE next month &#55357;&#56397; <a href="https://t.co/dFQjnZkH4h">pic.twitter.com/dFQjnZkH4h</a></p>— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1036324034068152320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">2 September 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
This series won't be easy. Kiwis will actually make us work for our wins, unlike the Aussies.
 
Damn, the Kiwis are going to be prepared. There's a lot of cricket for them to play even before the first test starts (Im assuming the tests are first).

I want them to be prepared and give Pakistan a tough fight. Not quite sure how Aus will fare, Pak will probably find them easier in all honesty.
 
Heinrich Malan TO COACH New Zealand A

Central Districts Cricket is proud to announce that Central Stags Head Coach Heinrich Malan has been selected to coach New Zealand A in twin international series this season.

Malan steps back into the role of NZ A Coach, after having toured India late last year as NZ A Assistant Coach to Shane Bond. This season’s NZ A squad — which includes Central Stags Tom Bruce, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner, George Worker, Will Young and soon-to-be BLACKCAP Ajaz Patel, will depart in early October for the United Arab Emirates. There they will play Pakistan A from 12 October until 9 November; followed by a home Series against India A that commences mid-November and concludes on 11 December, with that squad yet to be confirmed.

CDCA CEO Pete de Wet congratulated Malan on his elevation. “With each passing season, Heinrich is garnering more and more recognition for his coaching acumen. We’re delighted to see his successes with the Central Stags recognised by his latest appointment,” said de Wet.

Malan remains contracted as Central Stags Head Coach until the conclusion of the 2018/19 summer, but will share those duties with a familiar face this season.

“We have arranged for former Central Stags Player and Coach Ben Smith to return from England to step into the lead role while Heinrich is away on international duty through the early part of the season,” announced de Wet.

“Ben has extensive coaching credentials at this level and a sound handle on our New Zealand game. Having worked under Heinrich in 2016/17 during both our white-ball campaigns, he’s also already well acquainted with our systems and most of our squad — making Ben ideally placed to step in and ensure the green machine continues to operate smoothly. He will be able to hit the ground running, and is looking forward to renewing his relationships with our players and support staff.”

Smith will arrive from the UK on Friday, 21 September and said that he jumped at the chance to reconnect with a team for which he holds a special affection.

“I’m delighted to have been offered the opportunity to re-join CD Cricket in an interim role for the start of the season,” Smith said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being an assistant coach to Heinrich Malan two seasons ago, and I’m looking forward to getting back to work now with the Stags in a highly competitive and elite environment, working with a group of talented and exciting cricketers.”

The Central Stags will enter the new summer as New Zealand’s defending first-class champions after having been undefeated in the 2017/18 edition of the Plunket Shield.

The historic first-class competition has been restructured from 10 to eight rounds this season and begins almost a fortnight earlier, at Nelson’s Saxton Oval on 10 October. Smith will coach the team during the two opening rounds of the Plunket Shield defence and the Ford Trophy one-day competition, which has been extended by two rounds this summer and runs from 24 October until the 2018/19 Grand Final on 1 December.

A veteran of 323 first-class matches and 40 first-class centuries who first visited New Zealand as an England Under-19 representative — playing Youth Tests at McLean Park and Pukekura Park, Northamptonshire-born Smith enjoyed a distinguished career in County Cricket for both Leicestershire (1990-2001) and Worcestershire (2002-2009), during which time he also spent two productive summers in New Zealand representing the Central Stags as an overseas player (2000 to 2002).

Smith went on to attain ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] Level Four coaching qualifications, and has mentored both Worcestershire and Leicestershire, the ECB Development Squad and, most recently, new Test nation Ireland as a consultant fielding and batting coach.

Smith is not to be confused with his younger namesake, also a top order batsman, in the present-day Stags squad. Both Ben Smiths have scored a double century for the team.
 
Media release from New Zealand Cricket:

New Zealand A captain Corey Anderson and top order batsman Glenn Phillips have been selected as the additions to the BLACKCAPS T20 squad to face Pakistan at the end of the month.

The duo will play the two remaining one-day A games against Pakistan A in Dubai this week, before linking with the BLACKCAPS as part of a 13-player squad.

Selector Gavin Larsen said Anderson and Phillips have been rewarded for strong performances for New Zealand A through the recent T20 series.

“Corey and Glenn are in good form and have performed well in the local conditions over the past couple of weeks,” Larsen said.

“They obviously bring plenty of firepower, but their versatility will also give the squad the desired balance.

“Despite Martin Guptill being ruled out, we’ve decided to name just two rather than three additional players, taking the squad to 13.

“We’re confident that, with the As on the ground over there, we have adequate cover.”

Anderson, who last played for the BLACKCAPS at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, said it was always an exciting moment getting that call.

“It’s obviously been a long road back and after the surgery there were some long tedious days,” he said.

“But this is what the rehab is for and to be picked again is a great feeling.”

Larsen said returning to the international scene was an important step for the talented 27-year-old all-rounder.

“Corey’s had a really good winter playing in the UK and training back at home, and has shown on the New Zealand A tour he’s more than ready for the rigours of international cricket.”

The final game of the New Zealand A one-day series is on Friday, after which Larsen and coach Gary Stead will name the final additions to the BLACKCAPS ODI squad.

Fresh off his century in the second round of the Plunket Shield, Central Stags wicket-keeper Dane Cleaver has been called up to the New Zealand A team as cover for Tom Blundell, who has a groin strain.

Blundell has undergone a scan and will be monitored over the next week with an eye to returning for the second First-Class game against Pakistan A, before joining the BLACKCAPS for the three-match Test series, starting in mid-November.



BLACKCAPS T20 Squad

Kane Williamson (c)

Corey Anderson

Mark Chapman

Colin de Grandhomme

Lockie Ferguson

Adam Milne

Colin Munro

Glenn Phillips

Seth Rance

Tim Seifert

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee

Ross Taylor
 
The BLACKCAPS selectors have opted to add a second specialist spinner to the T20 squad, with Central Stags left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel drafted in from New Zealand A.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said Patel was in form and would offer the necessary balance to the side considering the conditions in the UAE.

“It’s no secret that spin is crucial in this part of the world and with the wickets on the slower side, we’ve taken the option of a second spinner to bring our squad up to 14-players,” said Stead.

“We’re fortunate that Ajaz has been playing over here for the past month and playing well; so he’ll be ready to go should he get his chance in the series.”

Patel claimed 4-57 across the three T20s between New Zealand A and Pakistan A, at an impressive economy rate of just over six runs-per-over.

The call-up could pave the way for an earlier than expected BLACKCAPS debut for the 30-year-old, who was named in the Test squad for the first time before the tour.

The BLACKCAPS open the T20I series against Pakistan on Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi, 5am Thursday morning NZT, live on SKY Sport.

BLACKCAPS T20 Squad

Kane Williamson (c)

Corey Anderson

Mark Chapman

Lockie Ferguson

Colin de Grandhomme

Adam Milne

Colin Munro

Ajaz Patel

Glenn Phillips

Seth Rance

Tim Seifert

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee

Ross Taylor

**** NZC Release ****
 
Ferguson and Worker added to ODI squad | Patel called in as cover for Astle

Ajaz Patel looks set to debut in another format for the BLACKCAPS, after being called into the one-day squad to play Pakistan in the UAE this week.

The 30-year-old left arm spinner has been added as cover for leg-spinner Todd Astle who has an irritated right knee.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead described Astle as a fifty-fifty chance of playing the first game on Wednesday, but hoped he would be available later in the series.

“Todd’s made good progress over the past couple of days and with his involvement in both the ODI and Test squads; we’re keen to give him every chance to be right,” said Stead.

“It does present another opportunity for Ajaz. He’s impressed us during the UAE tour so far and we have full confidence he can do a job for this team in the 50-over format.”

The other additions to the ODI squad sees Lockie Ferguson claim the fourth pace bowlers spot, while Central Stags batsman George Worker will open in place of Martin Guptill, who was earlier ruled out of the tour with injury.

“Lockie possesses raw pace and offers something different to the other three quicks in the squad who are predominantly new ball bowlers,” said Stead.

“He’s performed well over the past 12 months and we’re hoping he can bring some real aggression to those middle overs in the innings.

“George has been knocking on the door for a while and has hardly put a foot wrong in the chances he has had with the BLACKCAPS. We know he’s a quality player and this series will be a good test of where he is at,” Stead added.

All-rounder Corey Anderson wasn’t considered for selection after missing the BLACKCAPS third T20I with an injured heel. He will return home for further investigations by a specialist.

The BLACKCAPS open their three-game one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

BLACKCAPS ODI Squad

Kane Williamson (c)
Todd Astle
Trent Boult
Colin de Grandhomme
Lockie Ferguson *
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Colin Munro
Henry Nicholls
Ajaz Patel *
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
BJ Watling
George Worker *
 
Leg-spinner Todd Astle has been ruled out of the remainder of the BLACKCAPS tour to the UAE, and will return home to have his injured right knee looked at by a specialist.

The 32-year-old picked up the injury during the recent New Zealand A one-day series and selector Gavin Larsen said he wouldn’t be able to cope with the workload expected in the ODI and Test series against Pakistan.

“Despite a period of rest, Todd’s knee has, unfortunately, not responded as well as we had hoped,” said Larsen.

“The best course of action for Todd is to get home and get it looked at, with an eye to returning in the home summer.

“He worked really hard over the winter and is in some of the best shape of his career, so for this to happen is a cruel blow.”

Astle’s absence for the Test matches paves the way for Auckland Aces off-spinner Will Somerville, who only returned to New Zealand domestic cricket this season, following three years playing in Sydney

At 34-years-old, Somerville could become one of New Zealand’s oldest Test debutants, behind the late Herb McGirr who debuted in 1930 at the age of 38

Somerville has taken an interesting path to the BLACKCAPS.

Born in Wellington, he moved to Australia as a child, before heading to Otago to study accounting. He debuted for Otago in 2005 as a 20-year-old and played three seasons with the southerners before finishing his degree.

Somerville then returned to Sydney, where he was eventually picked for New South Wales, in 2014.

Larsen said Somerville had impressed the selectors since his return and would complement the BLACKCAPS Test bowling stocks.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on Will and like the look of his all-round game and skill-set.

“He bowls with good control and variation, while his added height means he gets that extra bit of bounce.

“He’s also a handy batsman down the order, as he showed with his half-century in the most recent round of the Ford Trophy.

“The Test squad already has a leg-spinner in Ish Sodhi and a left-arm spinner in Ajaz Patel, so we think Will’s right arm off-spin will balance out the attack nicely.”

Somerville will fly out to the UAE on Saturday to link up with the BLACKCAPS ahead of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Friday, November 16.
 
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