Three CENTRAL STAGS have been included in a New Zealand XI to play a two-day pink-ball match against England this week, with TOM BRUCE named as captain of the NZ XI side.

Bruce, who captained New Zealand A in India in the preseason, will be joined by BLACKCAPS Test squad member WILL YOUNG and Stags young gun CURTIS HEAPHY who will keep wicket in a tour warm-up game starting at 2PM tomorrow (Wednesday), continuing in the evening under lights at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

Although a regular BLACKCAPS squad member, Young last saw action for the BLACKCAPS in July last year, and will be looking to use this opportunity to put the finishing touches on preparation for the Test Series against England, starting at Bay Oval on 16 February - with BLAIR TICKNER also in the Test squad and in line for a Test debut.

BLACKCAPS and NZ XI selector Gavin Larsen said the warm-up match "is a great opportunity for the NZ XI players, from younger emerging players through to established Domestic players, to experience playing against quality international opposition."

HEAPHY is one of two 19-year-olds in the squad alongside Otago's Jacob Cumming. The remainder of the NZ XI squad, coached by Paul Wiseman, is made up of Test squad member Kyle Jamieson as he looks to return to full gear, and players from the Domestic scene. 

The match will be livestreamed for free at NZC.nz, NZC YouTube and on the NZC app.

SCORECARD LINK

NEW ZEALAND XI SQUAD

v England

8, 9 February

at Seddon Park, Hamilton

TOM BRUCE (captain, Central Stags)

CURTIS HEAPHY (wicketkeeper, Central Stags)

WILL YOUNG (Central Stags)

Adi Ashok (Auckland Aces)

Jacob Cumming (Otago Volts)

Sean Davey (Canterbury)

Kyle Jamieson (Auckland Aces)

Jarrod McKay (Otago Volts)

Robbie O’Donnell (Auckland Aces)

Will O’Donnell (Auckland Aces)

Quinn Sunde (Auckland Aces)

Sean Solia (Auckland Aces)

Theo van Woerkom (Canterbury)

Article added: Tuesday 07 February 2023