T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand unveil official jersey ahead of the tournament
New Zealand are the latest ones to unveil their jersey for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman between October 17 and November 14. The Kiwi jersey is a combination of Argentine blue, grey and black with a white fern featuring on the front.
New Zealand were the first to name their 15-member squad for the multi-team tournament, with no place for Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme. The Kane Williamson-led unit has three spinners – leg-spinners Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle, alongside left-arm spinner Mitchell Santer, whereas the pace column includes Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson, with seam-bowling all-rounder options in James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell.
The absence of Taylor aside, the batting unit wears a familiar look, with skipper Williamson, Devon Conway and Martin Guptill in the mix alongside two wicketkeepers Tim Siefert and Glenn Phillips. Further, former Hong Kong spin all-rounder Mark Chapman has also been named, whereas pacer Adam Milne is with the squad as an injury cover.
Of the selected players, Williamson was leading Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recently-concluded 2021 IPL, whereas Ferguson and Southee were the frontline pacers of runners-up Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB pacer Jamieson, KKR wicketkeeper Siefert and MI pacer Boult will also head into the tournament with some IPL match-time behind themselves.
Milne, who can be included in the squad only in an event of an injury to any of the main squad members, was the leading wicket-taker of The Hundred with the Birmingham Phoenix and played three games for Mumbai in the UAE leg.
New Zealand, who are placed in Group 2 alongside India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and two qualifiers, will start their campaign on October 26 against Pakistan, followed by encounters against India (October 31), two qualifiers (November 3 and 5, respectively) and Afghanistan (November 7).
A quick team photo before heading out to defend with the ball. The team wearing their alternate @T20WorldCup kit for this warm up fixture with @KNCBcricket in Dubai. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OQdcdJYBrz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 16, 2021
New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
Coaching Staff: Glenn Pocknall, Graeme Aldridge, Tilan Samaraweera
