DANE CLEAVER has been called up for the BLACKCAPS for the first time today.

Our Central Stags wicketkeeper-batsman has been picked for next Friday night’s one-off Twenty20 International at McLean Park against The Netherlands, when he will join fellow Stags DOUG BRACEWELL, BLAIR TICKNER and WILL YOUNG in the T20i squad on their home turf.

Cleaver is one of two uncapped players stepping up for the BLACKCAPS alongside Wellington Firebird Michael Bracewell — Doug Bracewell’s first cousin. Cleaver also has a first cousin in the BLACKCAPS, although not in this Series, named Kane Williamson.

Michael Bracewell has been named in both the T20i and ODI squads while retiring ROSS TAYLOR comes in for the ODI Series only in what promises to be a Series to tug at the heartstrings of all New Zealand cricket supporters.

Michael Bracewell (478) and Cleaver (369) topped this season’s Dream11 Men’s Super Smash runs aggregates and have been on the radar in NZC’s New Zealand A and winter programmes in recent years. 

With 12 BLACKCAPS white-ball regulars unavailable due to the IPL (including Central Stags quick ADAM MILNE), opportunities abound for the next tier of talent.

Like Cleaver, pace bowling duo Ben Sears (Firebirds) and Scott Kuggeleijn (Northern Brave) have been selected specifically the T20I squad while Canterbury’s Tom Latham will lead both sides, and keep wickets in the three-game ODI series - with Central Stags paceman BLAIR TICKNER in line for his ODI debut. 

Taylor, along with Canterbury batsman Henry Nicholls and Auckland Aces quick Kyle Jamieson, have been selected only for the one-day component of the Series against The Netherlands, with the ODIs beginning at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on March 29 before heading to Hamilton for games two and three on April 2 and 4, all live on Spark Sport.

Netherlands captain Pieter Seelaar / ICC

Matt Henry and Tickner cover the remaining pace bowling spots across the two squads along with allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Doug Bracewell. Martin Guptill, Will Young and Mark Chapman provide the batting for both sides, while Ish Sodhi will be the lead spinner.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said the Series was a great opportunity to further test their white-ball depth. 

“Any time you lose 12 frontliners, it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re really excited by the players we’ve been able to call on.

“With another ICC T20 World Cup later this year and the ICC Cricket World Cup (ODIs) next year, it’s a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players.”

Stead also congratulated Bracewell and Cleaver on their maiden call-ups to the BLACKCAPS. 

“Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season. 

“Michael is a superb ball striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm off-breaks are an asset to any side.

ONE OF THE STAGS' BIGGEST T20 TONS | PHOTOSPORT

“Dane, along with Cam Fletcher, has been the standout wicketkeeper-batsman of the Dream11 Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane’s consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge."

Cleaver, Michael Bracewell, Taylor and Sears will all get an early look at the tourists as part of the New Zealand XI side named for two one-day warm-ups at Napier’s McLean Park on March 17 and 19 followed by a one-off T20 on March 21 – with all three matches behind closed gates, but with free livestreams to watch at www.nzc.nz or the NZC YouTube Channel.

 

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The four international matches on the KFC Netherlands Tour of New Zealand will be broadcast live in New Zealand on Spark Sport, Magic Talk Radio and Rova, with livescoring at nzc.nz. The opening KFC T20I on March 25 will also be broadcast free-to-air on TV1. 

BLACKCAPS T20i squad

KFC Netherlands Series

Tom Latham — captain — Canterbury Kings

DOUG BRACEWELL — Central Stags

DANE CLEAVER — wicketkeeper — Central Stags – uncapped

BLAIR TICKNER — Central Stags

WILL YOUNG — Central Stags

Michael Bracewell — Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman — Auckland Aces

Colin de Grandhomme — Northern Brave

Martin Guptill — Auckland Aces

Matt Henry — Canterbury Kings

Scott Kuggeleijn — Northern Brave

Ben Sears — Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi — Northern Brave

BLACKCAPS ODI squad

KFC Netherlands Series

Tom Latham — captain, wicketkeeper — Canterbury

DOUG BRACEWELL — Central Stags

ROSS TAYLOR — Central Stags

BLAIR TICKNER — Central Stags

WILL YOUNG — Central Stags

Michael Bracewell — Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman — Auckland Aces

Colin de Grandhomme — Northern Brave

Martin Guptill — Auckland Aces

Matt Henry — Canterbury Kings

Kyle Jamieson — Auckland Aces

Henry Nicholls — Canterbury

Ish Sodhi — Northern Brave

Full Tour Schedule

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Article added: Wednesday 16 March 2022