After an extended absence due to injuries, three of New Zealand’s premier fast bowlers—Matt Fisher, Will O’Rourke, and Blair Tickner—have been recalled to the national side for the upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) officially announced the squads on Friday, marking a significant boost for the Kiwis’ pace attack.
Injury Comebacks
Will O’Rourke returns to the ODI squad after recovering from a persistent back injury. Matt Fisher, who had been sidelined with a shin injury, makes his way back into the T20I squad. Blair Tickner has recovered from a knee injury and has been selected for both the ODI and T20I teams.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed his delight at the return of experienced campaigners:
“Will, Blair, and Matt have put in immense work over the past few months to regain full fitness. In the busy modern cricket schedule, having depth in our bowling attack is crucial. Their return is excellent news for the team.”
Emerging Talent Gains Opportunities
Off-spin all-rounder Dean Foxcroft also returns to white-ball cricket after nearly two years, having impressed selectors with his performances in domestic Ford Trophy cricket, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer for Central Stags.
Several players who recently represented New Zealand ‘A’ in Sri Lanka have earned promotions, including Mohammad Abbas, Aditya Ashok, Christian Clark, and Ben Sears. Christian Clark and Jaiden Lennox secure their second call-ups to the ODI squad. Clark had a standout series against India in January, claiming seven wickets in three matches, including the scalps of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Captaincy Update
Regular white-ball captain Mitchell Santner will miss the tour due to his commitments with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his absence, experienced opener Tom Latham will lead the side.
Tour Schedule
The New Zealand team will arrive in Bangladesh on 13 April and will play a total of six matches: three ODIs and three T20Is.
New Zealand White-Ball Squads
| ODI Squad | T20I Squad |
|---|---|
| Tom Latham (c) | Tom Latham (c) |
| Mohammad Abbas | Katene Clark |
| Aditya Ashok | Christian Clark |
| Christian Clark | Josh Clarkson |
| Josh Clarkson | Dan Cleaver |
| Dan Cleaver | Matt Fisher |
| Dean Foxcroft | Dean Foxcroft |
| Nick Kelly | Bevon Jacobs |
| Jaiden Lennox | Nick Kelly |
| Henry Nicholls | Jaiden Lennox |
| Will O’Rourke | Tim Robinson |
| Ben Sears | Ben Sears |
| Nathan Smith | Nathan Smith |
| Blair Tickner | Ish Sodhi |
| Will Young | Blair Tickner |
The inclusion of seasoned campaigners alongside emerging talent provides New Zealand with a balanced squad, capable of challenging Bangladesh across both formats. The tour promises competitive cricket with strategic opportunities for both young and experienced players.