Lockie Ferguson will lead New Zealand for the first time in his career after being named the leader of the ODI team for the series against Bangladesh from September 21.
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will assume the role of captain for the inexperienced squad during the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh. New Zealand are scheduled to face the Bangladesh cricket team in Dhaka for a series of three ODIs, starting on September 21.
Ferguson, who made his ODI debit in 2016, has played 87 internationals for his country, picking up a total of 129 wickets.
New Zealand are currently involved in a four-match T20I series against England and will play four ODIs against them before flying over to Bangladesh.
The New Zealand selection committee has taken a decision to grant rest to several senior players ahead of the upcoming World Cup, allowing them to recharge and prepare for the much-anticipated event, set to begin on October 5 in India.
Tom Latham, who will lead the ODI squad against England in the absence of the injured Kane Williamson, will also be on the sidelines for the three-match series against Bangladesh.
In addition to Latham, players including Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Tim Southee will also be absent from the forthcoming series. Furthermore, Mark Chapman and James Neesham were not considered for selection, as they requested to be present for the births of their respective children.
Dean Foxcroft, who recently made his debut in the T20I match against the UAE, has been included in the squad, along with Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, and Rachin Ravindra.
The team's head coach, Gary Stead, will also be granted a period of rest, with batting coach Luke Ronchi assuming responsibility for the three matches in Dhaka.
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Stead, talking about the decision to make Ferguson the captain, said: “Lockie is an experienced bowler at the international level, and this is an opportunity for him to really lead from the front with not just the bowling group but the team as a whole. He stepped into the role for the warm-up matches in England and led a group with a lot of moving parts well.”
Coming to the current series against England, the New Zealand team has faced consecutive defeats, resulting in the Three Lions taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Following the conclusion of the tours to England and Bangladesh, the New Zealand team will travel to India for their first warm-up match against Pakistan, in preparation for the ODI World Cup. This match is scheduled to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on September 29.
The runners-up of the 2019 World Cup will commence their campaign by facing the defending champions, England, in the opening match of the prestigious event on October 5. The encounter will be held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand ODI squad vs Bangladesh led by Lockie Ferguson:
Lockie Ferguson (c), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult. Chad Bowes, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
