New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Thursday, January 12, 2023, announced that uncapped left-arm seamer Ben Lister has been added to the Black Caps squad for their three-match T20I series on the India tour.
With Kane Williamson and Tim Southee returning home following the Pakistan Tests, Mitchell Santner will lead the side in the T20I series, with batting coach Luke Ronchi taking the off-field reins.
The matches will be played in Ranchi on January 27, in Lucknow on January 29, and in Ahmedabad on February 1.
This is 27-year-old Lister’s maiden international call-up and comes after he made his New Zealand A debut last year in India. His tour was cut short after he was struck down with pneumonia. The infection saw Lister spend time in the hospital before returning home to continue his recovery.
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Kyle Jamieson (back), Matt Henry (abdominal) Adam Milne (side), and Ben Sears (back) were unavailable for selection as they continued to manage injuries.
Lister is slated to make his New Zealand T20I debut in the series.
“Ben has made an exciting impact for Auckland early in his career. His ability to swing the ball considerably as a left-armer is particularly exciting. We all felt for Ben after his [NZ A] tour ended the way it did last year, and it’s a testament to his work ethic that he’s been able to return to domestic cricket so strongly,” Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen said.
Larsen noted that Mitchell Santner had impressed in his previous opportunities as captain of the T20 team.
Larsen noted that Mitchell Santner had impressed in his previous opportunities as captain of the T20 team.
He said: “Mitch is a leader in our white ball teams and has captained the T20 side in India before. His experience in Indian conditions will be invaluable leading this group.”
New Zealand T20I squad for India tour:
Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner
(New Zealand Cricket inputs)
