Black Caps v India: Finn Allen to make New Zealand homecoming as T20 squad named

Allen will be joined at the top of the order by Tim Seifert, who also sealed a Big Bash switch to the Sydney Sixers after being named player of the tournament as he led the Manchester Super Giants to win England’s “The Hundred” competition.

In the bowling ranks, Adam Milne’s return to the Black Caps squad stands out amid a seven-strong core of fast bowlers. The 34-year-old was named in New Zealand’s initial 15-man squad for this year’s World Cup, but was ruled out with injury.

Michael Bracewell also returns after being forced out of the World Cup squad. This leaves no room for fellow off-spinning allrounder Cole McConchie, who excelled as an injury replacement in India and Sri Lanka.

As expected, Rachin Ravindra has not been named after suffering a freak shoulder injury while fulfilling commercial commitments last week. It is hoped Ravindra will be fit for the five-match one-day international series beginning at the start of November.

His absence is filled by Bevon Jacobs, as one of three players to miss out on World Cup selection, while Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith join the bowling ranks.

Of the players who travelled to the World Cup, Ish Sodhi and Jimmy Neesham have been left out, while Ben Sears remains unavailable as he rehabilitates an ankle injury.

“India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting,” head coach Rob Walter said. “We hear most of the games are going to be sold out and it should make for some incredible occasions.

“We’ve got a near full-strength squad that covers all bases and I’m excited to see how we compete against the current T20 world champions.

“Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months.

“We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads.”

Black Caps squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith

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