Foulkes and Blundell called into T20 squad as injuries hit
An injury to Adam Milne will see the country’s latest power-hitting, fast-bowling allrounder unveiled for the Black Caps in Pakistan.
Coach Gary Stead and stand-in captain Michael Bracewell’s squad was scheduled to fly out last night for the five-match Twenty20 series, including Canterbury’s Zak Foulkes – an intriguing late callup.
The 21-year-old Foulkes and test wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell were two late additions for injured pair Finn Allen (back) and Milne (ankle).
Foulkes joins Canterbury team-mate Will O’Rourke and Wellington batter Tim Robinson – who averaged 60 at a strike rate of 187 in the T20 Super Smash – as the uncapped T20I players in an already second-string lineup.
All the Indian Premier League players are absent, as well as Tim Southee (rest) and Tom Latham, who is awaiting the birth of his second child.
Foulkes, who joins veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham in the 15-man squad, is an accurate wicket-taking seamer who bowls at a good clip, and a versatile power batter who can clear the rope.
A son of former Canterbury Country player Glen, Foulkes emerged in rep cricket for the same team and played alongside his older brother Liam and younger brother Robbie.
Foulkes showed his big-game temperament in the T20 Super Smash for eventual runners-up the Kings in January.
In the elimination final in Hamilton, Foulkes launched Logan van Beek’s final ball of the match for six to knock the Firebirds out. He finished the T20 campaign with 14 wickets at an average of 16, and with an economy rate of 6.64.
With the ball Foulkes has 39 wickets at 24.74 in 14 first-class matches.
He made an impact in Australia, when playing for Wynnum Manly in the Queensland premier competition.
In August 2022, Foulkes marked his arrival with an innings of 102 not out off 52 balls as the side chased down 174 in a finalball thriller against Sandgate-Redcliffe.
Coach Gary Stead said of the young allrounder: “Zak has had an impressive season for Canterbury, including being their leading wicket-taker in all three competitions. He has displayed impressive skills with the ball, particularly in T20 cricket for the Kings.
“We also know he has skills with the bat and it will be an excellent opportunity for him to be part of the group.”
The tour, which starts with game one in Rawalpindi next Friday, is a chance for players to stake a late claim for the T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies in June.
❚ Finn Allen (back) and Adam Milne (ankle) were late injury withdrawals.
❚ Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner Schedule (all start 2am (NZT): Friday, April 19: First T20 at Rawalpindi Sunday, April 21: Second T20 at Rawalpindi Monday, April 22: Third T20 at Rawalpindi Friday, April 26: Fourth T20 at Lahore Sunday, April 28: Fifth T20 at Lahore