Kane Williamson returns along with Boult-Southee for Caribbean tour

Kane Williamson has been named captain of the BlackCaps' 15-man team, which includes experienced players such as Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, and Tim Southee. Young comers such as Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell have also been added to the squad. Williamson leads first West Indies trip in 8years. 

On the tour, the New Zealand will play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs. T20I series will be contested on August 11, 13, and 15, with the ODI series on August 17, 19, and 21. With six matches in 11 days in Jamaica (three T20Is) and Barbados (three ODIs), the selectors have tried to maintain a combined team across all formats.

On the tour, New Zealand National Cricket Team head coach Gary Stead will be supported by batting coach Dean Brownlie and bowling coach Graeme Aldridge.

New Zealand will be visiting the Caribbean for the first time since 2014. The T20 games will be a crucial rehearsal for the T20 World Cup later this year, while the ODIs will earn Super League points ahead of the 50-over World Cup in India next year.

ODI & T20I squad: Kane Williamson (Captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway(wk), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham(wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said the squad was looking forward to taking on the West Indies at home. 

“It’s always exciting to be heading somewhere you’ve not been in a while and I know this group can’t wait for the challenge of taking on the West Indies in the Caribbean.

“Managing workloads is hugely important this year with the team playing some form of cricket every month in 2022 – and this applies to both players and staff.

“For Kane, Trent, Tim and Devon, this will be the first time they have played white ball cricket for New Zealand since last year’s T20 World Cup and tour to India - so this trip will be important for them.

“We also have players such as Michael and Finn who are relatively new to the international stage but have really put their hands up for selection when given opportunities.

“As a selector it’s been great to see these guys push their cases.”