Bruce excited to take on Proteas
Tom Bruce has made a dream start to 2017.
After making his debut for the Black Caps in the team’s threematch Twenty-20 series against Bangladesh in January, the Central Stags batsman is set to don the representative jersey again to face South Africa this week.
‘‘Obviously different countries present different challenges. With South Africa being the powerhouse they have been, they’ll be good. It’s an awesome opportunity, these guys are all household names,’’ the 25-year-old said.
Bruce headed into the series on a roll with the bat, scoring 170 runs in his last two stints at the crease for the Stags in the Ford Trophy, including a 79-ball century in the side’s 48-run win over Northern Districts at the weekend.
He was one of four Stags selected across the three New Zealand teams for the series against South Africa – with a New Zealand XI T20 team to play today, the Black Caps T20 team to play on Friday, and the Black Caps one day international side which plays five matches.
Fellow Stags Ross Taylor and Adam Milne were selected alongside Bruce in the New Zealand XI T20 squad, with Taylor also a part of the ODI squad, while Ben Wheeler would join Bruce in the Black Caps T20 squad.
The selections meant the four would be unavailable to play for the Stags in their Ford Trophy preliminary final against Wellington tomorrow.
However, Bruce was confident the side would be able to cope without them.
‘‘I’m sure the boys will be fine. We’ve got good enough depth that players will be able to come in and play well in our roles.’’
Bruce said the New Zealand XI team was expected to go up against a youthful South African T20 side, but it would be a good opportunity to get a look at what the Proteas were like first hand.
‘‘I think quite a few of the younger South African guys will be playing in that first one, but it’ll be a good chance to see their bowlers. It’ll be good fun.’’
Tom Bruce will be back in a Black Caps shirt this week.