Dane Cleaver , Michael Bracewell earn maiden, New Zealand call-ups for Netherlands series

Wicketkeeper-batter Dane Cleaver and all rounder Michael Bracewell have earned their maiden New Zealand call-ups for the upcoming white-ball home series against Netherlands. While Bracewell has been named in both the ODI and the T20I squads Cleaver has been chosen only for the T20Is.

Cleaver and Bracewell were the top two run-getters in this season’s Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, scoring 369 and 478 runs respectively.

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Michael Bracewell is the fourth member of his family to play for New Zealand :-

Bracewell is in line to become the fourth member of his family to play for New Zealand, after his uncles John and Brendon, and his cousin Doug, who is also part of both white-ball squads.

“Both players have been on the national radar for some time and certainly deserve their selection off the back of another quality domestic season,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “Michael is a superb ball-striker who can mix touch with his power, while his right arm offbreaks are an asset to any side.

The role Dane can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge :-

“Dane… has been the stand-out wicketkeeper-batsman of the Super Smash in recent years. We felt Dane’s consistent weight of runs and the role he can play at the top of the order gave him the slight edge.”

With 12 of New Zealand’s first-choice players missing the series to take part in the IPL; fast bowlers Ben Sears and Scott Kuggeleijn also named in the T20I squad.

“Anytime you lose 12 front-liners it’s going to be a challenge; but we’re really excited by the players we’ve been able to call on,” Stead said. “With another T20 World Cup later this year ; the ODI World Cup next year it’s a good time to be offering opportunities to a wider group of players.”

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The ODI series will be Ross Taylor’s farewell :-

Meanwhile, the ODI series will be Ross Taylor’s farewell. As he is set to retire from international cricket after its conclusion. Taylor is a part of only the ODI squad, along with Kyle Jamieson and Henry Nicholls.

The tour begins with the one-off T20I in Napier on March 25, with the three-match ODI series. It will be a part of the ODI Super League – starting in Mount Maunganui on March 29. Tom Latham will lead both sides in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson.

New Zealand ODI squad: Tom Latham (capt, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Will Young

New Zealand T20I squad: Tom Latham (capt, wk), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk); Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.