Bhula selected in NZ XI to face India A

Firebirds' Jakob Bhula catches Volts' Shawn Hicks during the Ford Trophy one day cricket match between the Wellington Firebirds and Otago Volts at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday the 31st of October 2018. Copyright Photo by Marty Melville / www.Photosport.nz

Young Wellington Firebirds batsman Jakob Bhula has been selected in the New Zealand XI squad to face India A in two One-Day warm-up matches.

The two sides will clash at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Canterbury on Friday and Sunday as an entree to the remainder of the international home summer.

Bhula represented the New Zealand XI in a Two-Day match against England in November, scoring 61 against an attack that baosted the likes of Sturat Broad, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer.

The NZ XI squad also features Auckland Aces 20-year-old Finn Allen, who scored a breakthrough century for the NZ XI in that match against England.

BLACKCAPS all-rounder Daryl Mitchell will lead the side.

India A boasts Test stars Mayank Agarwal, ranked 13th in the ICC Test batting rankings, and 20-year-old Prithvi Shaw - who scored a century on debut and averages 118.5 after two Tests.

Experienced international Vijay Shankar is the leading all-rounder and there’s no shortage of quality spinners with Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel and Khaleel Ahmed all having played for the Indian senior side.

India A will be captained by Shubman Gill, the Player of the Tournament at the 2018 ICC Under 19 World Cup, hosted in New Zealand.

Selector Gavin Larsen said the NZ XI had an exciting couple of days in store.

“It’s a great opportunity for our guys, many of whom are at different stages of their careers,” he said.

“India A are full of international experience and we know how tough it is to make that senior team so we're under no illusions about the challenge ahead.

“Coach John Bracewell and myself are looking forward to seeing how the players respond, and who stands up."

The NZ XI squad is selected from the three Major Associations no longer in contention for the Dream11 Super Smash finals, along with players who were not required by their Major Association in the domestic T20 competition.


New Zealand XI

Daryl Mitchell (Northern Districts) (c)

Finn Allen (Auckland Aces)

Jakob Bhula (Wellington Firebirds)

Jack Boyle (Canterbury)

Katene Clarke (Northern Districts)

Josh Clarkson (Central Stags)

Dane Cleaver (Central Stags) (wk)

Zak Gibson (Northern Districts)

Andrew Hazeldine (Canterbury)

Henry Shipley (Canterbury)

Sean Solia (Auckland Aces)

Theo van Woerkom (Canterbury)

 

India A Squad

Shubman Gill (c), Mayank Agarwal, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel, Ishan Porel, Sanju Samson, Vijay Shankar, Prithvi Shaw, Mohammed Siraj, Sandeep Warrier, Suryakumar Yadav.


Article added: Wednesday 15 January 2020