Ferguson to Captain, Foxcroft Named for Potential Debut

New Zealand Cricket have announced the Blackcaps ODI squad to take on Bangladesh starting on the 21st of September. Seamer Lockie Ferguson has been named as captain and all-rounder Dean Foxcroft has been named for the first time in an ODI squad.

Multiple players including regular captain, Kane Williamson (knee injury) and deputy, Tom Latham (rest) will miss the series. Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Tim Southee were all left out of the side to give them a short break as they prepare for the World Cup, starting in October. Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham were both not considered because of the arrival of their first children.

Ferguson captained the Blackcaps in two warm-up matches against English sides, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and will lead the international side for the first time.

Blackcaps coach, Gary Stead stated that: “Lockie is an experienced bowler at the international level, and this is an opportunity for him to really lead from the front with not just the bowling group but the team as a whole. He stepped into the role for the warm-up matches in England and led a group with a lot of moving parts well.”

Dean Foxcroft will potentially make his Blackcaps ODI debut, after his earlier T20 debut in the series against the UAE.

On the inclusion of Foxcroft, Gary Stead said: “Any time a player is selected for the first time it’s exciting and Dean’s shown as the Volts’ leading white ball run scorer last summer the talent he has. We were impressed with how he came into the group with the T20 Squad, and this will be another great opportunity to keep learning in our environment.”

Five players in this ODI squad, also featured at the 2019 World Cup, with Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Henry Nicholls and Ish Sodhi being the five.

Luke Ronchi will lead the coaching group in Bangladesh with Shane Jurgensen assisting as bowling coach and Ian Bell taking the role of batting coach for the series.

Blackcaps ODI Squad:

Lockie Ferguson (c)

Finn Allen

Tom Blundell

Trent Boult

Chad Bowes

Dane Cleaver

Dean Foxcroft

Kyle Jamieson

Cole McConchie

Adam Milne

Henry Nicholls

Rachin Ravindra

Ish Sodhi

Blair Tickner

Will Young