(Reuters) – Big-hitting batter Bevon Jacobs was the only uncapped player in the New Zealand squad for the Twenty20 and one-day international series against Sri Lanka over the New Year.
Jacobs, who caught the eye with some explosive batting in the domestic game and was last month snapped up by the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, will only be considered for the three T20 matches.
“He’s a promising player with a lot of talent and we’re looking forward to exposing him to international cricket,” selector Sam Wells said of the 22-year-old, who was born in South Africa but raised in Auckland.
“He’s clearly got a lot of power with the bat, but he’s also shown in the longer formats that he has a decent technique and temperament.”
Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Matt Henry all return to the squad after missing the recent short-format tour of Sri Lanka to prepare for the test series against England.
The two series, which start with the first T20 at Mount Maunganui on Dec. 28, will be the first in charge for new white ball skipper Mitchell Santner with Luke Ronchi taking the coaching reins as Gary Stead enjoys a break.
Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes*, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs*, Tom Latham**, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke **, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson*, Nathan Smith, Will Young**.
* T20s only
** ODIs only
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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