Big-hitting Central Stag JOSH CLARKSON has been called up to the BLACKCAPS for the first time, joining WILL YOUNG in the ODI squad to play Bangladesh in a three-match series here in New Zealand this month.

The star of last summer's Ford Trophy championship win, Clarkson received his maiden New Zealand A selection to play Australia A several months ago, and now gets a chance to make his BLACKCAPS international debut if selected in the starting XI in Dunedin, Nelson or Napier.

The first match in Dunedin starts on Sunday 17 December, followed by Nelson's Saxton Oval - Clarkson's hometown ground - on 20 December and the final match at Napier's McLean Park in the lead-up to Christmas on 23 December.

GET BLACKCAPS TICKETS NOW

- or -

BOOK GRAEME LOWE STAND (NAPIER) HOSPITALITY

"I'm absolutely stoked," said Clarkson who said it would be a very special feeling if he gets to play on his home grounds in Nelson and Napier - where he smashed his match-winning unbeaten century to win the 2023 Ford Trophy Grand FInal in March this year.

"But I think my oid man's even more excited than I am."

Clarkson, 26, is one of three uncapped BLACKCAPS in the ODI squad, with Canterbury's Will O'Rourke also picked in a BLACKCAPS squad for the first time, and Auckland leg-spinner Adi Ashok getting his first ODI call-up, after having already played T20 International cricket earlier this year.

The squad will be led by Tom Latham and features seven players from the recent ICC Cricket World Cup in India, including breakout star Rachin Ravindra who finished as the World Cup’s fourth-top runscorer with a New Zealand record-equalling 578 runs from 10 innings. 

Pulling power | PHOTOSPORT

All three potential new caps are former New Zealand Under 19 representatives (Clarkson in 2016) and, with several senior players either injured or resting after a busy winter, BLACKCAPS selector Sam Wells said the series against Bangladesh represented a great opportunity to introduce some new faces to the One Day unit. 

“After a very busy winter of touring, it will be exciting to have the team back playing at home,” said Wells.

Will Young | PHOTOSPORT

“The volume and intensity of the cricket over the winter means we need to strike a balance with workloads for players, particularly those who play multiple formats. 

“That need for balance also creates opportunities, and it’s great to be able to give some players their first call-ups.” 

Wells said all three potential new caps had impressed with their work in Domestic cricket, and in the New Zealand A environment. 

PHOTOSPORT

“Josh is someone who, while still only young at 26, has played more than 150 matches across the formats for the Stags, developing his skills with bat and ball to become a consistent contributor. 

“Adi and Will are both still fresh to Domestic cricket, but have been impressive in their early efforts and stepped up well this year in the New Zealand A matches against Australia A. 

“Both offer valuable skillsets, Adi with impressive control as a young leg-spinner, and Will with natural bounce and variation as a tall pace bowler."

Added Wells, "As we’ve seen in the ongoing Test Series and the ODI Series in September, Bangladesh is a quality international side, and we know they will present a strong challenge on this return tour.”

The Series also shapes as an exciting one for leading batsman WILL YOUNG who stood up again for the BLACKCAPS during Kane Williamson's absence for a chunk of the ICC World Cup.

WILL YOUNG | PHOTOSPORT

Young has not made 28 ODI appearances for the BLACKCAPS, and will be looking forward to his former flatmate Clarkson joining him in the squad.

Young averages 40.96 at international level in the format after two centuries and seven half centuries, including knocks of 70 and 54 at the World Cup.

Williamson, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, and Devon Conway have all been rested, ahead of a big home season. 

Michael Bracewell (Achilles tendon), Matt Henry (hamstring), Lockie Ferguson (Achilles), Jimmy Neesham (ankle), Ben Lister (returning to play from a hamstring injury) and Henry Shipley (back) were meanwhile not considered for selection due to injury, while Trent Boult made himself unavailable. 

The first ODI against Bangladesh in Dunedin begins at 11am on Sunday week with the match live and free to air on TVNZ+ and SENZ Radio. The squad will assemble in Dunedin on Thursday, 14 December.

 versus

BANGLADESH

One-Day International Series

Tom Latham - captain, Canterbury

Adi Ashok - ODI 2 & 3, uncapped, Auckland Aces

Finn Allen - Auckland Aces

Tom Blundell - Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman - Auckland Aces

Josh Clarkson - uncapped, Central Stags

Jacob Duffy - Otago Volts

Kyle Jamieson - Canterbury

Adam Milne - Wellington Firebirds

Henry Nicholls - Canterbury

Will O’Rourke - uncapped, Canterbury

Rachin Ravindra - Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi - ODI 1, Canterbury

Will Young - Central Stags

BLACKCAPS v BANGLADESH

ODI Schedule 

All matches 11am NZT

Sunday, 17 December • University of Otago Oval, Dunedin

Wednesday, 20 December • Saxton Oval, Nelson

Saturday, 23 December • McLean Park, Napier

GET BLACKCAPS TICKETS NOW

BOOK YOUR PLACE IN OUR GRAEME LOWE STAND (NAPIER) HOSPITALITY

 

 

Article added: Wednesday 6 December 2023