Clarke staying on for India T20s | Bracewell & Milne injuries monitored

Northern Districts bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke will remain with the BLACKCAPS in India after being added to the T20 squad for the first three games in the upcoming five-match series, which gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday night (Thursday 2.30am NZT).

Clarke played a starring role in his maiden ODI series, claiming seven wickets including Virat Kohli twice across the three games, while also adding helpful lower order runs and snaring two catches in the field.

BLACKCAPS coach Rob Walter said Clarke’s inclusion was primarily as cover as they seek to manage their fast-bowling group.

“We’ve got a fair bit of player movement at the moment with some guys returning from injury for this series, others joining us immediately from franchise cricket and the rest coming off the India ODI series and Super Smash.

“We want to ensure we’ve got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games of this series and it’s a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India.

“He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what was particularly impressive was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure."

Walter confirmed Michael Bracewell had travelled with the T20 squad to Nagpur after sustaining a minor left-calf strain while fielding in the third and final ODI in Indore on Sunday.

Bracewell will be treated and monitored over the coming days before a decision on his further involvement in the tour is confirmed.

Pace-bowler Adam Milne injured his left hamstring while bowling for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 on Sunday and is currently being assessed to determine the management of the injury.

Walter said the side had arrived in Nagpur in high spirits following the ODI series win in Indore.

“It was incredibly special to win the ODI series and create some history,” he said.

“There were lots of special performances combined with fantastic team work to achieve something that hadn’t been done before.

“With a short turn-around to the T20 series we know we’ll need to recover well and refocus quickly to be ready for the opening game on Wednesday night.”

BLACKCAPS T20 Squad v India

Mitchell Santner (c) – Northern Districts

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

James Neesham – Auckland Aces

Glenn Phillips – Otago Volts

Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds

Tim Robinson – Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi – Canterbury

*Kristian Clarke - Northern Districts (games 1,2 & 3)

BLACKCAPS ICC T20 WC squad

Mitchell Santner (c) Northern Brave

Finn Allen Auckland Aces

Michael Bracewell Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman Auckland Aces

Devon Conway Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy Volts

Lockie Ferguson Auckland Aces

Matt Henry Canterbury Kings

Daryl Mitchell Canterbury Kings

Adam Milne Wellington Firebirds

James Neesham Auckland Aces

Glenn Phillips Volts

Rachin Ravindra Wellington Firebirds

Tim Seifert Northern Brave

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