Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have forced New Zealand to opt for fresh blood in their pace attack for the three-match ODI series against India starting February 5 in Hamilton. Kyle Jamieson could be in for a potential debut, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett return to the squad after a long absence. Injury has meant the likes of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are unavailable for the series.
New Zealand's Adam Milne is hoping to make a difference in Sunday's must-win clash against India at the Twenty20 World Cup after being left frustrated on the sidelines for the opening loss to Pakistan.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead, on Tuesday, said he was a bit surprised by India's abject surrender in the first Test but is expecting a strong comeback in Christchurch.
'There is pressure on both teams. The exciting thing is that both teams have not won the World Cup and both have experience of finals. But since England and India were looked at as winners, maybe there is more pressure on them'
Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme made themselves unavailable for selection due to the prospect of further time in bio-secure bubbles and Managed Isolation.
New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult has recovered from a broken hand to be included in the 13-player squad to face India in the two-Test series, as selectors swung the axe following the dismal tour of Australia. Left-armer Boult broke his right hand in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December but is fit for the first Test against India starting at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday.
Senior New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was ruled out of the three-match series after failing to recover from a back injury.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead on Friday said beating India in Tests at home in spin-friendly conditions was "one of world cricket's greatest challenges" and he has no illusion about how tough it would be to face Virat Kohli's men in the upcoming tour.
"It's been such a privilege to play with and against some of the greats of the game and to have created so many memories and friendships along the way. But all good things must come to an end and the timing feels right for me."
While the lack of information, which is unusual for a major sporting event, might be annoying for fans planning to travel to India
Frustrated after being dismissed, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway hit his own bat. Taken for X-rays earlier today, it was confirmed that he had broken his fifth metacarpal in his right hand.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident his team had put losses to Pakistan, Australia and England behind them as they head to the knockout stage.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White has confirmed that Kiwi players involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 would be allowed to re-join their franchises and complete the competition when it re-starts in September.
Virat Kohli said India would not go into their shells as they prepared for the series-deciding game at Hagley Oval from Feb. 29.
From World Cup titles to personal highs to heartbreaks, Virat Kohli witnesses it all at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium
As captain, Kane Williamson would face suspension if New Zealand are fined again for a slow rate.
Latham was just one of three players to have broken bones on the tour, with opening bowler Trent Boult sustaining a fracture in his right hand during the second Test in Melbourne.
India were expected to try out a bunch of players after another World Cup debacle but if the team combination for the second T20 was any indication, they seemed reluctant to start with a clean slate.
India will be without captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli, who decided to skip the first of the two Tests, while batter Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will miss both matches.
The only selection issue facing New Zealand as they head into the second match against India at Christchurch is likely to be whether pace bowler Kyle Jamieson, so impressive on his Test debut at the Basin Reserve, bats higher in the order. Jamieson made a big impression in the hosts' 10-wicket victory in the opener of the two-Test series, capturing 4-39 in the first innings and then scoring 44 in a rearguard action.
The squad for the two Tests against India is set to be named on February 17, with the opening match starting four days later in Wellington on February 21.
Towering fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will make his international debut for New Zealand against India in the second one-day match in Auckland on Saturday. The 2.03m (6'8") tall Jamieson was called into the national squad for the final two Tests against Australia but did not play and was not in the side for the opening one-day match against India in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The victory was New Zealand's fifth Test series win in succession and all the more remarkable with the entire first two days of play washed out.
BJ Watling will be retiring from international cricket after the tour of England.
Wheelchair-bound former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns says he is 'very lucky to be alive', three months after a medical emergency left him on life support.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on Thursday described his hamstring injury a 'minor' one but admitted that an elbow niggle is affecting his grip.
The Indian batsmen will get a liberal dose of "chin music" in the second Test at the seamer-friendly Hagley Oval, senior New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner declared on Wednesday, harping on the visitors' struggles when faced with pace and bounce. With India troubled by short balls bowled from round the wicket, the 33-year-old Wagner promised that they will employ the same strategy during the second match starting Saturday.
Tim Southee admitted he was disappointed not to have played in Sydney but said he has moved on.
New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham says losing the first day to rain will not change their approach to team selection.
New Zealand's stand-in captain Tim Southee said long periods in bio-bubble takes a toll on the cricketers' physical and mental health and hopes that they don't have to play in protected environments for far too long.
New Zealand, the tournament runners-up last time, grabbed the last semi-final berth after a hat-trick of defeats nearly derailed their strong start in the tournament.
A number of top cricketers have expressed concern about being confined to biosecure bubbles for months on end to keep international schedules on track.
New Zealand's towering new all-rounder Kyle Jamieson provided a second consecutive match-winning performance in the second Test against India at Hagley Oval on Monday as the home side clinched a 2-0 series win. He took Player of the Series honours after taking 5-45 in India's first innings followed by 49 batting at number nine as India's pace bowlers fought back on a green pitch offering extravagant movement off the seam.
India did to us what we have done to the other teams around the world, New Zealand stand-in skipper Tom Latham said on Monday after the humbling defeat in the second Test in Mumbai.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead termed World Cup game wash-out against India as "unfortunate and frustrating", but agreed with the International Cricket Council's assertion that reserve days will be a "logistical nightmare".
Pakistan will have 'revenge' on their mind for a recent off-field snub when they take on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Tuesday.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav tormented New Zealand again as India coasted to a 90-run victory in the second one-day international at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
The dead rubber New Year's Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground at least offers a chance for New Zealand to reset
New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003 for a white-ball series and since then have avoided touring the country because of security reasons.
'Just catch up with everyone I haven't seen in a long time'
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