The Central Stags have a new BLACKCAP today with JAYDEN LENNOX joining already-capped JOSH CLARKSON and WILL YOUNG in the ODI squad that will head to India early next month.

The consistent left-arm spinner has been outstanding in both white-ball formats in recent seasons for the Stags, and was earlier this month named as the Stags' new Super Smash captain in TOM BRUCE's absence.

Those plans are still partially intact, with Lennox, Clarkson and Young likely to be available for the first three rounds of the impending T20 campaign that begins for Central in Palmerston North this weekend, 27 December, with a Hinds/Stags doubleheader against the Wellington Blaze and Firebirds.

Despite being the reigning champions, ironically there are meanwhile no Stags in the BLACKCAPS' T20i squad that will continue on in India after the three ODI matches, meaning the Stags trio should be back home in time for the business end of Super Smash.

BLACKCAPS Head Coach Rob Walter said he was really pleased to see Lennox’s progression through the NZC high performance system.

“Jayden has been an identified player of interest for some time, and has some good New Zealand A experience under his belt."

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Lennox earned selectons for his first New Zealand A tours earlier this year, first to Bangladesh and more recently to South Africa.

"He's consistently been one of the top performers in white-ball cricket domestically for a number of seasons,” Walter added.

The tenacious 31-year-old from Hawke's Bay has also captained the Stags' one-day Ford Trophy side in the last two seasons, and has played more than 50 List A one-day games overall for 69 wickets and a best of 4/52.

 

 

Clarkson, 28 (above), gets his first BLACKCAPS opportunity in the ODI squad since his maiden series in December 2023, having seen off the injury trouble that ensued to stamp his mark as one of the most dangerous allrounders in all formats so far this season.

Already renowned for his powerful striking, his pace bowling has been particularly impressive with a touch of extra pace about him this season.

He is the top wicket-taker nationally halfway through The Ford Trophy regular season with 16 wickets at a mere 11.37, and Lennox is not far behind with eight wickets placing him among the top 11 bowlers after five rounds.

 

 

For top order batsman Young, he has four ODI centuries and 10 half centuries to draw on and his sharp fielding makes him an asset to any side - but he'll be pleased to get another chance to burst back into run-scoring mode, after a lean international season so far for the BLACKCAPS in both one-day and Test cricket.

In Mitch Santner's absence, Michael Bracewell will captain the side during the one-day series, surrounded by an experienced leadership group in Young, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Henry Nicholls. 

Test Captain Tom Latham and front-line seam bowler Matt Henry both miss the ODI series, with the former staying in New Zealand for the birth of his third child, and the latter continuing to rehab after his recent calf tear ahead of the T20i series and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February.

Central Stag Blair Tickner (shoulder), Nathan Smith (side) and Mark Chapman (ankle) were not considered for selection for the ODI series as they continue with their respective return-to-play plans. Chapman is on track to play in the T20i series.

Wellington quick bowler Ben Sears was not considered for selection in ODI cricket as he works through his own return-to-play programme. Sears is progressing well and is on track to be available for the Super Smash.

Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to commitments in the SA20 league.

Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra will both sit out the ODI series to allow them to rest after being involved in all cricket since the start of the home summer.

The BLACKCAPS's T20i squad will play five games immediately after the three ODIs in India, as part of their final preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February and March.

The T20 World Cup Squad will be announced in mid-January.

Tickner was not considered for the T20 internationals in India due to his injury rehabilitation programme after having dislocated his shoulder in the first Test against the West Indies this month.

 

2026 TOUR OF INDIA

ODI Squad

Michael Bracewell – captain, Wellington Firebirds

Adi Ashok – Auckland Aces

Kristian Clarke – uncapped, Northern Districts

Josh Clarkson – Central Stags

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Mitch Hay – wicketkeeper, Canterbury

Kyle Jamieson – Canterbury

Nick Kelly – Wellington Firebirds

Jayden Lennox – uncapped, Central Stags

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

Henry Nicholls – Canterbury

Glenn Phillips – Otago Volts

Michael Rae – uncapped, Canterbury

Will Young – Central Stags

2026 TOUR OF INDIA

ODI Schedule

Sunday 11 Jan 2026 • 9pm NZT

Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara

Wednesday 14 Jan 2026 • 9pm NZT

Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot

Sunday, 18 Jan 2026 • 9pm NZT

Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore

T20i Squad

Mitchell Santner – captain, Northern Brave

Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman – Auckland Aces

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Matt Henry – Canterbury

Kyle Jamieson – Canterbury

Bevon Jacobs – Auckland Aces

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

Jimmy Neesham – Auckland Aces

Glenn Phillips – Volts

Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds

Tim Robinson – Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi – Canterbury 

Unavailable due to injury:

Will O’Rourke (back), Blair Tickner (shoulder), Nathan Smith (side)

Article added: Tuesday 23 December 2025