Bennett earns recall
At a glance
Hamish Bennett will return to the Black Caps for their Twenty20 series against India this month – almost three years after his last appearance for his country.
The Wellington Firebirds seamer has been included in a
14-strong squad for the five-match series, which begins in Auckland next Friday.
He last played international cricket in May, 2017, when the Black Caps navigated a one-day tri-series with Bangladesh and Ireland without several regulars who were busy with Indian Premier League commitments.
Before that, his last appearance was in January, 2014, in an ODI against India. If selected in the playing XI, he will be making his Twenty20 international debut.
Bennett’s callup comes on the back of strong performances in the domestic Super Smash.
The Firebirds are set to host this year’s final at the Basin Reserve on Sunday and the 32-yearold played a big part in getting them there, taking 14 wickets at an average of 18.42, a strike rate of
15.64, and an economy rate of 7.06. Bennett is joined in the pace bowling ranks by Tim Southee, Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn, with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi the spinners.
Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson are both recovering from injuries sustained on the recent test tour of Australia and were not considered.
Selector Gavin Larsen said Bennett’s callup was just reward for his form and perseverance.
‘‘We’re delighted to have Hamish back in the fold for what will be a huge series against India,’’ Larsen said.
‘‘Over the past few seasons
Black Caps T20 squad:
India squad: he’s consistently been one of the top domestic white-ball bowlers and we’ve been impressed how he’s been able to evolve his game.
‘‘We all know he brings good pace and bounce but it’s the clever variations he’s added that make him such a well-rounded
T20 bowler.’’
Kane Williamson will captain the side, returning to the fold after sitting out the series against England in November while nursing a hip injury and being rested for the one before that against Sri Lanka.
His return is set to force a reshuffle of the batting order, as Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert, Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor have been locked in to the top five positions in recent times. De Grandhomme will only be available for the first three matches of the series, with Tom Bruce replacing him for the final two.
Jimmy Neesham has not been selected after missing two recent Super Smash matches with a quad injury, and will play for New Zealand A in a one-day series against India A next week, with Daryl Mitchell chosen ahead of him.