Clarkson in line for T20I debut, Boult returns

Josh Clarkson is in line for a potential T20I debut having been selected to face Australia next week. He was originally scheduled to take part in the third T20I against Pakistan, but an injury picked up in the Dream 11 Super Smash. 

Trent Boult has also been included and will play in the final two games of the series, which will be his first T20I since November 2022. He will come into the side with Tim Southee dropping out after the first game to manage his workload.

With Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell being out of the series (paternity leave and a foot injury respectively), it gives a chance to Clarkson and Rachin Ravindra to prove their worth in the T20I format.

The only difference to the side that defeated Pakistan 4-1 in January, is Ben Sears being omitted and Lockie Ferguson taking his spot.

On the selection of Ravindra and Clarkson and Williamson and Mitchell not being available, selector Sam Wells said: “It’s never ideal missing two of your best players for such a big series, but in saying that, we do have a lot of faith in the guys coming in,” he said.

“Both Josh and Rachin have been in our white-ball squads this summer and it’s really exciting for them to now get this opportunity.

“Josh hits the ball as long and as hard as anyone and we were encouraged by his performances with the ball in his maiden ODI series against Bangladesh before Christmas.

“Rachin’s talent and class has been clear to all over the past six months, and similar to Josh, it’s great to have his all-round skill-set to call on in this squad.”

Michael Bracewell (finger injury) and Jimmy Neesham (Bangladesh Premier League) were the only players who were not available for selection.  

BLACKCAPS T20I squad

Mitchell Santner (c)

Finn Allen

Trent Boult (games 2 & 3)

Mark Chapman

Josh Clarkson* 

Devon Conway (wk)

Lockie Ferguson

Matt Henry

Adam Milne

Glenn Phillips

Rachin Ravindra  

Tim Seifert (wk)

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee (game 1)

*Potential T20I debut

Australia T20 squad:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Series Overview

1st KFC T20I – 7:10 pm, Wednesday, February 21- Sky Stadium, Wellington

2nd KFC T20I – 7:10 pm, Friday February 23 - Eden Park, Auckland

3rd KFC T20I – 1 pm, Sunday, February 25 - Eden Park, Auckland