The Dafabet 2024 T20 World Cup was the first team to declare their lineup, with an experienced New Zealand team captained by Kane Williamson. On Monday, the Black Caps took action. Only two players on the 15-man roster, all-round batsman Rachin Ravindra and spinner Matt Henry, have never participated in a T20 World Cup.
One player in the starting lineup with more experience than Williamson is veteran fast bowler Tim Southee, who also serves as the captain of the New Zealand Test team. Southee will compete in his seventh World Cup of Twenty20. Additionally confirmed is Trent Boult, an experienced bowler who is playing for New Zealand for the sixth time.
According to a New Zealand Rummy Gold 51 Cricket news release, Matt “has worked exceptionally hard on his skills across the phases of a T20 game to come back into selection consideration.” Gary Stead, the head coach, attested to this. Seeing Rashin stay on that path when facing Australia in Twenty20 cricket throughout the summer was exhilarating. He has made every post a winner over the past 12 months.”
“We believe we’ve chosen a squad with the flexibility to adjust to those conditions, and we anticipate the West Indies venues to offer fairly varied conditions,” Stead stated.
Williamson made his T20 International cricket comeback during New Zealand’s five-match home series against Pakistan in January, following a more than year-long injury layoff. Due to a hamstring injury, he was only able to participate in two of the series’ games; however, given his recent success in the Gujarat Titans’ 2024 Indian Premier League, it seems that he is fully recovered.
Ben Sears, a pace bowler, will travel with the team and train with the 15 players selected for the tournament roster in case of injury. NZC also disclosed that Adam Milne was ruled out following surgery to address an ankle condition, while Kyle Jamieson was not available for selection due to his ongoing recovery from a back issue.