Earlier this year, Central Stags wicketkeeper-batsman DANE CLEAVER was all set to make his BLACKCAPS debut at McLean Park before the heavens opened and saw the one-off T20 International against The Netherland abandoned without any action.

Now the popular lifelong Stag has a second chance to make that overdue T20 International debut - as well as a potential ODI debut for the BLACKCAPS, with the white-ball squads for the tours to Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands announced this morning.

With a number of senior BLACKCAPS taking a break after the England Test Series (and a tour to the West Indies looming, following the UK and Netherlands winter tours), Cleaver is one of a number of changes in the touring squad, with Otago Volts left-arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon also in line to make his BLACKCAPS debut in any format after a maiden call-up today for the T20i component of the tour.

PHOTOSPORT

Cleaver joins Central Stags WILL YOUNG, BLAIR TICKNER and ADAM MILNE in the squad for the three ODIs in Ireland in early July, after which Young will return to New Zealand while the remaining trio carry on into the T20i Series against Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands.

The BLACKCAPS' squad for the Windies tour will be announced in mid-July, and Young brings a cheeky ODI batting average of 78.66 into the one-dayers against Ireland after having scored two centuries from his five ODI starts to date.

Tickner continues to impress with his aggressive, wicket-taking attitude and heavy ball, and will head to Ireland with an ODI four-fa already in his books from his two starts.

PHOTOSPORT

Speedster Milne (below) is meanwhile back from the injury that ruled him out of most of this year's IPL and is now in the frame for his first ODI start since 2017.

MBUTCHER

Cleaver's call-up comes after having knocked on the national door for some time in the competitve battle for wicketkeeper-batsman spots, and he is already in the UK with the Test squad where he replaced injured reserve keeper Cam Fletcher last week.

The Manawatu icon has played 57 one-day matches for the Stags and has performed both up and down the order, for an overall batting average above 30 - including two centuries and eight half centuries.

As a keeper (and occasionally, outfielder) he has 70 dismissals or catches and has also made two one-day starts for a New Zealand XI with an unbeaten 44* in the mix.

In the T20i format, Cleaver starred last summer with his spectacular maiden Dream11 Super Smash century in Dunedin, and has five further half T20 centuries for the Stags from his 74 matches, as well as 57 catches and five stumpings.

BLACKCAPS selector Gavin Larsen said the inclusion of Cleaver meant no room for incumbent T20i keeper Tim Seifert (Northern Districts).

“Dane’s earned his opportunity off the back of his strong form for the Central Stags and it’s great to see his recent call up to the Test squad in England," said Larsen.

PHOTOSPORT

"We know how dynamic a player Tim can be when he’s at his best, and we’re hopeful he can push his case for selection again in the near future.

"It’s pleasing to see the depth we’re developing behind the stumps with the likes of Tom Blundell and Cam Fletcher also in the discussion.”

Central Districts Cricket congratulates all players selected for the squads announced today. First round Domestic contracted players for 2022/23 are announced tomorrow, 22 July 2022.

ODI squad v Ireland

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Tom Latham - captain, wicketkeeper, Canterbury

DANE CLEAVER - wicketkeeper, Central Stags, uncapped

ADAM MILNE - Central Stags

BLAIR TICKNER - Central Stags

WILL YOUNG - Central Stags

Finn Allen - Wellington Firebirds

Michael Bracewell - Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy - Otago Volts

Lockie Ferguson - Auckland Aces

Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces

Matt Henry - Canterbury

Henry Nicholls - Canterbury

Glenn Phillips - Auckland Aces, uncapped

Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts

Ish Sodhi - Canterbury

T20 International squad

v Ireland, Scotland

and The Netherlands

________________________

Mitch Santner - captain, Northern Districts

DANE CLEAVER - wicketkeeper, Central Stags, uncapped

ADAM MILNE - Central Stags

BLAIR TICKNER - Central Stags

Finn Allen - Wellington Firebirds

Michael Bracewell - Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman - Auckland Aces

Lockie Ferguson - Auckland Aces

Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces

Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury

Jimmy Neesham

Glenn Phillips - Otago Volts

Michael Rippon - Otago Volts - uncapped

Ben Sears - Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi - Canterbury

Full Schedule

Article added: Tuesday 21 June 2022