Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes will not be participating in New Zealand’s forthcoming five-match T20I series against India, set to take place at home later this month. Replacing them are Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner.
Chapman is currently sidelined with a torn left hamstring, sustained during the European T20 Premier League last month, from which he has not yet recovered. Foulkes is dealing with a right hip flexor injury picked up in a Canterbury training session. “His [Foulkes’] return to play timeline is still to be determined,” mentioned New Zealand Cricket in a statement. They added positively about Chapman, saying he “is on track to be available for the ODIs against India” following the T20 matches.
“I’m gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery,” said head coach Rob Walter. He expressed confidence in their replacements: “We’re fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know they’re both very excited to be involved in what’s shaping up to be an epic T20 series.”
The team had also previously lost Rachin Ravindra for the T20I series after he sustained a shoulder injury during a promotional shoot on September 23. He is anticipated to return in time for the ODI series, similar to Chapman.
Fast bowler Adam Milne is expected to make his comeback to T20 international cricket after more than a year, joining a robust pace line-up featuring Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy, with Blair Tickner stepping in as well. Allrounders Nathan Smith and Clarkson further strengthen the squad.
This T20I series, scheduled between October 22 and November 1, leads into a subsequent five-match ODI series planned for November 4 to November 15, followed by a two-Test series.
New Zealand Squad for T20I Series Against India:
Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.
