BLACKCAPS batsman Henry Nicholls has been named in a strong New Zealand A side to face the West Indies in a three-day game in Queenstown next week, eight months on from his last game of cricket.
A calf injury had forced the Canterbury left-hander to miss the opening three rounds of the Plunket Shield, but he’s on track to return this weekend against the Otago Volts in Alexandra, before getting an early look at the tourists from Friday November 20, at John Davies Oval.
Wellington Firebirds star Devon Conway will receive his first representative chance since becoming eligible to play for the BLACKCAPS in August this year, alongside Test back-up batting incumbent Will Young.
Four Otago Volts feature in the bowling unit along with five-cap BLACKCAP and Central Stags paceman Blair Tickner.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie will lead the side with Dane Cleaver taking the gloves.
The match will be the first of two red-ball games against the West Indies in Queenstown and forms the start of a five-game long-form sequence for New Zealand A, which will also face Pakistan A in two four-day games in December.
BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said it was going to be a busy season for New Zealand’s elite cricketers.
“It’s been a year like no other and we’re very fortunate to be preparing for such an action packed summer,” said Stead.
“The complexities of the international schedule, along with the size of the touring squads and the length of time they will spend in the country has enabled us to build a very strong A programme.
“The flip-side of this is that pressure will be put on our player pool this season and we need to be smart with how we use our resources, therefore we’ll likely add and subtract from this squad as we go along.
“It’s great to get Henry back on the park after what I know has been a frustrating winter with his left calf injury. He’ll turn out for Canterbury this weekend in the Plunket Shield before heading to Queenstown to face the West Indies and we’re confident if he comes through both games unscathed he’ll be ready for the first Test in Hamilton on December 3.
“It’s an exciting time for Devon who’s had to wait for his opportunity at this level after some outstanding form on the domestic scene.
“Plenty of eyes will also be on the four Otago bowlers who have been rewarded for their strong performances so far this year and in recent seasons.”
New Zealand A squad for games 1 & 2
Cole McConchie (c) (Canterbury)
Joe Carter (Northern Districts)
Dane Cleaver (wk) (Central Stags)
Devon Conway (Wellington Firebirds)
Henry Cooper (Northern Districts)
Jacob Duffy (Otago Volts)
Ken McClure (Canterbury)
Henry Nicholls (Canterbury)
Michael Rae (Otago Volts)
Rachin Ravindra (Wellington Firebirds)
Michael Rippon (Otago Volts)
Ben Sears (Wellington Firebirds)
Sean Solia (Auckland Aces)
Nathan Smith (Otago Volts)
Blair Tickner (Central Stags)
Will Young (Central Stags)
New Zealand A Schedule
Three-day v West Indies, Nov 20-22, Queenstown
Four-day v West Indies, Nov 26-29, Queenstown
Four-day v West Indies A, Dec 3-6, Mount Maunganui
Four-day v Pakistan A, Dec 10-13, Queenstown
Four-day v Pakistan A, Dec 17-20, Whangarei
New Zealand A will assemble in Queenstown next Wednesday with Bob Carter and Paul Wiseman leading the coaching staff.
The BLACKCAPS open their international home summer against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday November 27.
Full International Schedule
Name of Author: New Zealand Cricket
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
