New Zealand announces a 13-member squad for T20I series against Australia

New Zealand Cricket board announced a 13-member team for their forthcoming T20 International series against Australia. The series start on February 22 at the Hagley Oval stadium.

New Zealand's opening batsman Martin Guptill missed the last two games of the Super Smash season due to a hamstring injury. He will join the team in Christchurch next week. Guptill recently played four matches for Auckland in the domestic T20 tournament scoring a total of 46 runs at an average of 11.50.

The 21-year-old right-handed batsman Finn Allen has been named Guptill’s backup. Allen has smashed a total of 512 runs in the T20 domestic tournament. He scored 73, 66, and 75 for Auckland, Central Districts, and Northern Districts respectively.

Kane Williamson to lead New Zealand for a five-match T20I series against Australia

Devon Conway, who played a 63-ball 93 in the Super Smash decider, is also included in the squad. In six T20 games, Conway has scored 174 runs at an average of 58 with a top score of an unbeaten 65. Tim Seifert will keep the wickets and open the batting for the side, while captain Kane Williamson will bat at number 3. Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Hamish Bennett will form the pace attack. Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi will be the slow bowling options. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham has also been drafted in the team following a finger injury. The Black Caps will enter the series after defeating Pakistan 2-1 last December.

New Zealand squad for T20I series against Australia

Kane Williamson (C), Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jameson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southey.

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