Exactly one month after his ODI debut, JOSH CLARKSON may be making his BLACKCAPS T20 International debut after having been named in the squad to play Pakistan this month.

The home series consists of five T20 Internationals with Clarkson included for the third match only as cover, giving Kane Williamson a game off as the skipper continues to manage his injured knee.

That means the popular Central Stags allrounder could be making his T20i debut in Dunedin, at the University of Otago Oval, on Wednesday, 17 January if he's in the Playing XI.

No other Stags feature in the squad named today, other than longtime former Stags quick ADAM MILNE who trasferred to Wellington two seasons ago where he and his wife had been based for some years.

But the silver lining is a near full-strength Stags T20 squad as the team continues its Dream11 Super Smash campaign.

The Stags are currently midtable, having beaten defending champion Northern Brave in the second round, while the Central Hinds are flying high undefeated after four rounds and top of the women's ladder.
 

 

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Clarkson impressed in his maiden ODI Series last month, despite limited opportunities with the bat.

His skills as a useful pace bowler were on show, taking three wickets in his debut series against Bangladesh.

The BLACKCAPS squad features two wicketkeeper options in Seifert and Conway, and the return of Matt Henry - last in action at the ICC World Cup in India, with Henry set to return for the Canterbury Kings when the Stags play them at Hagley Oval this Friday.

A BIG SEASON FOR CLARKIE PHOTOSPORT

Lockie Ferguson also returns after his World Cup injury, and is set to return also for the Auckland Aces this week, joining the BLACKCAPS mid-series as he continues to strengthen. Firebird Ben Sears will stand in for him in the first two games.

Rachin Ravindra wasn’t considered as a replacement for Williamson in the third BLACKCAPS game, as Ravindra begins a period of rest after having been on the road with the BLACKCAPS since the beginning of August - a decision made by NZC in conjunction with Cricket Wellington.

BLACKCAPS Coach Gary Stead explained, "Rachin’s a young player who has immense value to New Zealand cricket and we therefore want to look after his wellbeing.

“He’s the only player or staff member to have been touring non-stop for the past five months across five countries, and that’s simply not sustainable."

 

T20 International Squad

v

PAKISTAN

January 2024

Kane Williamson captain games 1, 2, 4, 5 Northern Brave

Mitchell Santner Northern Brave captain for game 3

Finn Allen Auckland Aces

Mark Chapman Auckland Aces

Josh Clarkson game 3 uncapped, Central Stags

Devon Conway w, Wellington Firebirds

Lockie Ferguson Auckland Aces games 3, 4, 5

Matt Henry Canterbury Kings

Adam Milne Wellington Firebirds

Daryl Mitchell Canterbury Kings

Glenn Phillips Otago Volts

Ben Sears Wellington Firebirds games 1, 2

Tim Seifert w, Northern Brave

Ish Sodhi Canterbury Kings

Tim Southee Northern Brave

SCHEDULE

KFC T20I – Friday Jan 12, Eden Park, Auckland

KFC T20I – Sunday Jan 14, Seddon Park, Hamilton

KFC T20I – Wednesday, Jan 17, University Oval, Dunedin

KFC T20I – Friday Jan 19, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

KFC T20I – Sunday, Jan 21, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Article added: Wednesday 3 January 2024