A Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player has been named captain of New Zealand for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. He didn’t have many opportunities to play for CSK, but he has been with them in the league for a while now.

New Zealand left-arm bowler Mitchell Santner will lead the Kiwis in their next limited overs assignment in a new move. Their previous captain, Kane Williamson, resigned from the captaincy of the white-ball formats earlier this year and Santner was named interim captain.

A decision on a full-time captain will be made at a later date as Kane Williamson’s successor has yet to be named. Several players from the current Test team playing in India have been rested to prepare for the red-ball match against England at home after an away tour against Sri Lanka.

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However, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Will Young and Ish Sodhi are among the common players for both teams. Jacob Duffy and Michael Bracewell are other players in the Test team and white-ball teams on the Sri Lanka tour.

Nathan Smith and Mitch Hay receive their first call-up

Meanwhile, bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batsman Mitch Hay have received maiden call-ups thanks to their strong performances at the domestic level. In fact, Smith was named National Men’s Player of the Year in March.

Experienced players include Lockie Ferguson, who will lead an inexperienced pace attack on tour, while other players in the squad include Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes. The bowling all-rounders are Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson, who are equally capable with both bat and ball.

The spin attack has a lot of quality; Ish Sodhi, who has played 51 ODIs and 117 T20Is, will be part of the team along with captain Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell. Glenn Phillips is also a skilled spinner and will contribute a few overs in spinning Sri Lanka’s decks.

The team will look to prepare for the next Champions Trophy in February next year. The Sri Lanka tour will begin with a two-match T20I series on November 9, followed by a three-match ODI Test.

New Zealand ODI and T20I team: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young

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