• Ben Lister has been selected for  New Zealand T20I squad that will travel to India.
• The left-arm swing bowler could soon make his international debut.
• Michael Rippon makes his first appearance in a New Zealand squad.

Ben Lister, a left-arm swing bowler, has been chosen for the New Zealand T20I squad that will travel India for three matches later this month, and he could soon make his international debut.

The team will be captained by left-arm spin all-rounder Mitchell Santner and will include a number of players who are more recent additions to the international cricket scene, including Lister, as well as an experienced T20 core that includes nine members of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad from last year.

Selector Gavin Larsen noted in an official statement that Santner had impressed in his previous ten opportunities as captain of the New Zealand T20I team. “Mitch is a leader in our white ball teams and has captained the T20 side in India before. His experience in Indian conditions will be invaluable leading this group.”

Lister, who made his New Zealand A debut in India late last season, was voted the Men’s Bowler of the Year by Auckland Cricket. The 27-year-visit old’s with the New Zealand A team to India was cut short after he developed pneumonia in Bangalore.

The infection saw him spend time in hospital before returning home to New Zealand to continue his recovery. “Ben has made an exciting impact for Auckland early in his career in red and white ball cricket. Since his debut in late 2017, he is the Aces’ leading wicket taker in T20 and List A cricket.”

“His ability to swing the ball considerably as a left-armer is particularly exciting. We all felt for Ben after his tour ended the way it did last year, and it’s a testament to his work ethic that he’s been able to return to domestic cricket so strongly this season,” added Larsen.

Along with him, all-arounder Henry Shipley, who recently made his international debut in New Zealand’s ongoing ODI Series against Pakistan, is also included in the team. Additionally, leg-spin all-rounder Michael Rippon makes his first appearance in a New Zealand squad since making his debut against Scotland on the European Tour last year.

All-arounder Kyle Jamieson (back), fast bowlers Matt Henry (abdominal), Adam Milne (side), and Ben Sears (back), as well as other players who are still recovering from or managing injuries, were not available for selection.

Following up on the ODI series against India, Luke Ronchi will serve as the team’s head coach, assisted by Bob Carter (for batting) and Paul Wiseman (for bowling) from the NZC network, as well as Trevor Penney as a fourth coach.

On January 27, 29, and February 1 in Ranchi, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, respectively, New Zealand will play three Twenty20 Internationals.

New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi and Blair Tickner

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