Four CENTRAL STAGS have this morning been announced in the New Zealand A squad to host Australia A in two first-class matches in Lincoln in early April.

TOM BRUCE has once again been named captain of the NZ A squad, while BRETT RANDELL has been selected for the first time, alongside Test BLACKCAPS DOUG BRACEWELL and AJAZ PATEL.

The quartet will therefore not be available for the Stags' final Plunket Shield round in Nelson, 1-4 April 2023.

The two four-day matches are both to take place at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, and it will be the first time an Australia A side has visited New Zealand.

The squad features six players who have represented the BLACKCAPS, alongside five players with a chance to represent New Zealand A for the first time: Randell, Dean Foxcroft (Otago Volts), Adi Ashok (Auckland Aces), Will O’Rourke (Canterbury) and Mitch Hay (Canterbury).

Randell has become a key component of the Central Stags side since shifting from Northern Districts, taking 18 first-class wickets in the Plunket Shield this summer.

BLACKCAPS selector Gavin Larsen said the new faces were fully deserving of their selection following strong summers for their domestic teams.

“Adi is very promising leg spinner who we believe has a bright future,” said Larsen.

“This will be a great opportunity for him to test his skill set against top drawer opposition and we’re looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop in the New Zealand A environment.

“The likes of Brett and Will have had very good Domestic seasons and as developing pace bowlers this presents a great opportunity for them.

"Dean and Mitch have made every post a winning one for Otago and Canterbury this summer and fully deserve their elevation."

Larsen said the Australia A side would pose a good test for developing players and noted the value the experienced international players would add.

"This will be a big challenge against a very good Australia A team, and we look forward to a couple of really tough matches against quality opponents.

“All players have plenty to play for, and obviously the older more experienced players will also impart their playing experience on the group.

“This is a well-balanced squad and I'm sure that they'll enjoy the experience. We certainly look forward to seeing who puts their hand up across the two matches." 

The squad will be led by NZC high-performance coaches Graeme Aldridge, Paul Wiseman and Bob Carter.

Australia A arrive in New Zealand on March 29 ahead of the first match on April 1. Matches will be live-scored and live-streamed at nzc.nz

NEW ZEALAND A

TOM BRUCE (captain, Central Stags)

DOUG BRACEWELL (Central Stags)

AJAZ PATEL (Central Stags)

BRETT RANDELL* (Central Stags)

Adi Ashok* (Auckland Aces)

Henry Cooper (Northern Districts)

Jacob Duffy (Otago Volts) (Game 1 only)

Dean Foxcroft* (Otago Volts)

Cam Fletcher (Canterbury)

Mitch Hay* (Canterbury)

Scott Kuggeleijn (Northern Districts, Game 2 only)

Cole McConchie (Canterbury)

Robbie O’Donnell (Auckland Aces)

Will O’Rourke* (Canterbury)

Sean Solia (Auckland Aces)

*Uncapped for New Zealand A

New Zealand A v Australia A

Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

1st four-day match – 1-4 April 2023

2nd four-day match – 8-11 April 2023

Article added: Tuesday 21 March 2023