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New Zealand (Source: Twitter)
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday, September 11, announced their squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, but in a 'unique' way. While the team captain and chief selector usually do this job, New Zealand chose the players' family members to reveal the 15-man squad that will travel to India for the premier 50-over tournament starting on October 5.
The 2019 finalists shared the video on their social media handles and it soon went viral with many fans praising the nice gesture from the Black Caps. The video shows cricketers' children, wives, fiancees, grandparents and parents announcing the squad by saying their respective cap numbers. It begins with Kane Williamson's wife and kids saying the New Zealand skipper’s ODI cap number.
Watch the video below:
Our 2023 @cricketworldcup squad introduced by their number 1 fans! #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/e7rgAD21mH
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 11, 2023
Kane Williamson's return gives New Zealand a huge boost
New Zealand have received a huge boost to their World Cup campaign, with star batter Williamson making a timely recovery and making the squad as captain. The veteran cricketer has been out of action since April after sustaining a ligament injury while fielding for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. He underwent immediate surgery and has been rehabilitating ever since.
Trent Boult, who returned to international cricket after a while, has also been picked and will lead the pace attack which includes Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson. The spinners in the squad are Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. Notable exclusions were opener Finn Allen, fast bowler Adam Milne and bowling all-rounder Kyle Jamieson.
The runners-up of the previous edition will lock horns with defending champions England in the tournament opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. Their next match is against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 9 and against India, on October 22 in Dharamsala.
New Zealand squad for ODI World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc, wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Will Young.