Trent Boult returns as New Zealand announce squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand Schedule World Cup 2023

New Zealand Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand Schedule: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday (September 11) confirmed their 15-member squad to take part in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in India during October-November. The key highlight of the New Zealand squad is the return of ace speedster Trent Boult.

Trent Boult had rejected to take up the New Zealand central contract in order to get a more favourable playing schedule amidst a chaotic cricketing calendar.

Along with Trent Boult, James Neesham is also not on the Black Caps central contract list, however, he has been named in the World Cup 2023 squad. Notably, Neesham was also part of the 2019 World Cup and played a key role in the final against England.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson fortunately makes his cut too in the squad after making a brisk recovery from a ruptured ACL earlier this year. Although Williamson has been named in the squad, but there are still concerns over his fitness.

For the spin bowling options, New Zealand have opted to stick with the services of Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Ish Sodhi. While Santner and Sodhi are the tried and tested pair, Rachin Ravindra has recently come into the picture.

Shockingly, the cricket board has overlooked Tim Siefert and Finn Allen. Moreover, Adam Milne has also not been picked in the squad due to his hamstring injury. The Black Caps have opted for a sole wicketkeeping option in Tom Latham. There is no backup wicketkeeper in the 15-man squad travelling to India.

?It?s always a special time to name a tournament team and I?d like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. It?s a great honour to represent your country at a World Cup," said New Zealand coach, Gary Stead. ?From Kane and Tim heading to their fourth tournament to the guys selected for the first time, it?s always a very exciting time.

Stead added that he had to make some tough calls during the process to pick the right mix of 15 players for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

"As with any squad named for an ICC tournament, there have been some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players. The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive tournament," he added.

Below is the New Zealand squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand Schedule for World Cup 2023:

New Zealand Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Kane Williamson (c),?Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Will Young

New Zealand Schedule for World Cup 2023

Kane Williamson-led New Zealand will lock horns against England in the tournament opener on October 5 in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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For more details head to ICC?s official website.