Nick Kelly and Joe Carter are set to take the helm as captains of New Zealand A during their forthcoming tour of Bangladesh. The squad includes fresh talents like Rhys Mariu and Muhammad Abbas, both of whom recently made their debuts against Pakistan, along with Kelly himself.
Kelly will guide the team in the three 50-over matches, set to take place first, before passing the leadership baton to Carter for the two longer-format games. Allrounder Abbas impressed during the Pakistan series, clocking the fastest ODI fifty on debut with just 24 balls. Meanwhile, Kelly and Mariu have emerged as the top scorers in the Plunket Shield.
Carter, at 32, previously shone on New Zealand A’s subcontinental sojourn in India back in 2022. He averaged a commendable 60.40, with two centuries to his name, including a personal best of 197.
The squad also sees the inclusion of wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, noted for his unbeaten 99 against Pakistan in Hamilton, alongside allrounder Josh Clarkson. The bowling department is strengthened by pace bowlers Zak Foulkes and Ben Lister, both of whom have donned the international cap. Furthermore, legspinner Adi Ashok, returning from the Pakistan squad after his stint in 2023, joins the ranks.
Bob Carter, who steps in as coach for the tour, remarked, “For several players, it will be their first time experiencing subcontinent conditions, which will be a great challenge and opportunity to further their skillsets.”
The one-day fixtures are scheduled for May 5, 7, and 10 in Sylhet. The first of the four-day encounters will follow from May 14-17 in the same city, before the series concludes with a game in Dhaka from May 21-24.
Below is the full New Zealand A squad for the Bangladesh tour:
– Muhammad Abbas
– Adi Ashok
– Matt Boyle
– Joe Carter (red-ball captain)
– Kristian Clarke
– Josh Clarkson
– Zak Foulkes
– Dean Foxcroft
– Mitch Hay
– Curtis Heaphy
– Nick Kelly (white-ball captain)
– Jayden Lennox
– Ben Lister
– Rhys Mariu
– Dale Phillips
