New Zealand Cricket have named a 19-member squad for three four-day matches against India A, with the first game set to begin in Lincoln on Saturday. The squad features 11 international players, making it one of the stronger New Zealand A line-ups assembled in recent memory.
Rhys Mariu will captain the side in the first and second games. A New Zealand Cricket statement noted that 'captaincy for the third match will be decided in due course' despite Mariu being available for that fixture as well. The star cast across the three matches includes Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister, Mitchell Hay, Jayden Lennox, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher, Adi Ashok and Tim Robinson.
The 19-member pool will be rotated across the three games, with 13 players named for each four-day fixture. The remaining six players from the squad will be released to participate in the 50-overs Ford Trophy, which begins on October 28.
Why is the India A squad considered particularly strong opposition?
India A have assembled a high-quality group for this tour, with several players expected to push for selection in India's Test squad for the two-Test series starting on November 19, at the end of the white-ball leg of the tour. Names such as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Auqib Nabi are part of the visiting group. Rishabh Pant's participation remains subject to fitness. NZC head of high-performance development Pete Sanford expressed enthusiasm about the contest.
"We're really looking forward to hosting India A. They [India] have announced a very strong line up, which poses a great opportunity for growth as players to test their strengths against international class. There's a huge buzz around having India on our shores and I know the squad are raring to get their domestic summer underway," said Sanford as quoted by Cricinfo.
Who is Cam Paul and why is his inclusion notable?
Cam Paul, a 21-year-old fast-bowling allrounder, has been named in the squad for the third four-day match, which will be his first New Zealand A appearance. He missed the previous tour due to injury. In five first-class appearances, Paul has taken wickets at a bowling average of just under 22 and has claimed two five-wicket hauls, underlining his potential at the next level. Nick Kelly, the newest player to receive an NZC central contract, is also in line to feature in the third game. Paul spoke about the opportunity ahead of the series.
"You always want to test yourself against the best and potentially playing against some of those guys is a huge opportunity. I was gutted to just miss out on the last tour, so I'm fizzed to be part of the squad and take that next step up," said Paul.
New Zealand A squad for 1st four-day match against India A
Rhys Mariu (capt), Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitchell Hay (wk), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
New Zealand A squad for 2nd four-day match against India A
Rhys Mariu (capt), Matt Boyle, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitchell Hay (wk), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
New Zealand A squad for 3rd four-day match against India A
Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu (wk), Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Jarrod McKay, Cam Paul, Henry Nicholls, Fraser Sheat.
