Big Stags right-armer BLAIR TICKNER has been named in a full BLACKCAPS squad for the first time and will join ROSS TAYLOR in the GJ Gardner Homes T20 series against England next week.

Blair made his BLACKCAPS debut after he was called in to play a solitary match against India last summer, impressing at Seddon Park where he also helped the Stags win the 2019 Super Smash trophy.

While disappointed to be missing a big round of Plunket Shield against ND for the Stags last week, Blair said he couldn't wait to test himself against England, especially if he gets the opportunity at the CD-hosted matches at Saxton Oval and the Napierite's home ground of McLean Park.

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Whilst it's top news for Blair and Rosco, BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson will skip the series with a hip injury, which was confirmed after this week's Plunket Shield. Trent Boult will also miss the first three matches of the England series and instead meet the Stags at Bay Oval when they play ND next week in the second round of Plunket Shield.

"We feel another four-day game will provide him with the best preparation for the upcoming Test series against England and Australia,” said BLACKCAPS coach Stead.

“We obviously have a lot of T20 cricket on the horizon ahead of next year’s World Cup and a tough five-game series against England should be a great start to the summer," said Stead.

The BLACKCAPS and England open the series at Hagley Oval on November 1, a match that is doubling as a fundraiser for the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks in March.

BLACKCAPS T20 squad 

Tim Southee (captain)

Trent Boult (Games 4 and 5 only)

Colin de Grandhomme

Lockie Ferguson (Games 1 to 3 only)

Martin Guptill

Scott Kuggeleijn

Daryl Mitchell

Colin Munro

Jimmy Neesham

Mitchell Santner

Tim Seifert (w)

Ish Sodhi

ROSS TAYLOR

BLAIR TICKNER

Full season schedule

Article added: Friday 25 October 2019