Southee to lead Kiwis in Lanka T20Is

WELLINGTON: Kane Willia­mson and Trent Boult are out of New Zealand’s 14-member squad for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, which starts on September 1.

New Zealand’s regular skipper Williamson and paceman Boult will return home for pre-planned rest after the conclusion of the two-match Test series, which hosts Sri Lanka are leading 1-0.

The squad will be led by fast bowler Tim Southee, and features three specialist spinners in Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle.

New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said that after an impressive ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign, the team would now shift focus to the next ICC tournament, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, prior to which the Blackcaps are scheduled to play nine T20I series.

“Following that amazing ride in the ODI World Cup, it’s exciting to begin setting our sights on another world event,” Larsen said.

“The series in Sri Lanka will be a challenging one against a team who are tough to beat in their own conditions.”

Kane Williamson and Trent Boult will return home for pre-planned rest following the current Test series

Squad: Tim Southee (captain), Todd Astle, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.