Auckland Aces batter Bevon Jacobs has earned his maiden BLACKCAPS call-up for the upcoming KFC T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui this weekend.
Jacobs’ power-hitting has turned heads since he burst on to the domestic scene for the Canterbury Kings in last summer’s Dream11 Super Smash, and he’s continued his form for the Auckland Aces this season in both red-ball and 50-over cricket.
The call-up caps off a memorable month for the 22-year-old who was also picked up in last month’s IPL mega auction to join Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner at the Mumbai Indians.
Jacobs will get an early look at the touring Sri Lanka squad as he lines up for the New Zealand XI in today’s T20 warm-up at Lincoln University.
Two 13-strong squads have been selected for the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka in late December and early January, with the tour marking the start of Mitchell Santner’s tenure as full-time white-ball captain.
The three-game ODI series in January will be the BLACKCAPS final series before the 15-player squad is selected for the ICC Champions Trophy in February.
The opening white-ball tour of the home summer also represents the first chance for Kiwi fans to see the likes of Zac Foulkes, Mitch Hay and Tim Robinson play for the BLACKCAPS at home, after the trio made their international debuts overseas during the winter.
Canterbury Kings wicketkeeper-batter Hay has been included in both squads after impressing on last month’s tour to Sri Lanka, where the 24-year-old claimed a men’s T20I record for the most dismissals in an innings (five catches and one stumping) in the first T20I in Dambulla, before scoring 49 with the bat in the second ODI in Pallekelle.
Hay will keep in the T20I series and has been selected as batting and keeping cover for the ODI series, with incumbent Tom Latham set to join the squad for the three-match series starting at the Cello Basin Reserve on January 5.
Latham will be joined by Will O’Rourke and Will Young as the ODI squad additions, in place of Jacobs, Foulkes and Robinson who have been selected for the T20I series only.
O’Rourke will be rested for the T20I series following a heavy Test workload in which the 23-year-old featured in all eight of the Tests across the Sri Lanka, India and England series.
BLACKCAPS selector Sam Wells congratulated Jacobs on his maiden call-up.
“It’s obviously an exciting time for Bevon and his family,” Wells said.
“He’s a promising player with a lot of talent and we’re looking forward to exposing him to international cricket.
“He’s clearly got a lot of power with the bat, but he’s also shown in the longer formats that he has a decent technique and temperament.”
Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Matt Henry all return to the white-ball squads, having missed last month’s trip to Sri Lanka to prepare for the England Test series.
Henry will lead a youthful pace attack which includes Foulkes, O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy and Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Nathan Smith who continues his breakthrough summer having made his debut in all three formats in the past two months.
Santner has been selected as the frontline spin option, alongside allrounders Ravindra, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips.
BLACKCAPS T20I & ODI squads v Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (c) Northern Brave
Michael Bracewell Wellington Firebirds
Mark Chapman Auckland Aces
Jacob Duffy Otago Volts
Zak Foulkes Canterbury Kings (T20I only)
Mitch Hay Canterbury Kings
Matt Henry Canterbury Kings
Bevon Jacobs Auckland Aces (T20I only)
Tom Latham Canterbury Kings (ODI only)
Daryl Mitchell Canterbury Kings
Will O’Rourke Canterbury Kings (ODI only)
Glenn Phillips Otago Volts
Rachin Ravindra Wellington Firebirds
Tim Robinson Wellington Firebirds (T20I only)
Nathan Smith Wellington Firebirds
Will Young Central Stags (ODI only)
Wells said the first white-ball series of the New Zealand home summer were always highly anticipated by the players and fans alike.
“It’s a nice time of year and we know the team will receive great support from the Kiwi crowds in the summer hot-spots of Mount Maunganui (Dec 28 & 30) and Nelson (Jan 2) in particular.
“Sri Lanka is an entertaining side packed with dangerous players – so the two series should produce plenty of entertaining cricket.”
Wells said the squads represented a mix of fresh new talent alongside some proven internationals.
“As with the squads that recently toured Sri Lanka, we’re keen to keep exposing new talent to the big stage and it’s nice to have an experienced core of players around them.
“The Champions Trophy, like all ICC pinnacle events, is an obvious incentive for players and I know many will be keen to put their best foot forward in the ODI series to be in the frame for selection.
The BLACKCAPS squads to face Sri Lanka will be led by Luke Ronchi, with regular head coach Gary Stead taking a break off the back of an extensive period of cricket for the team.
Ronchi will be supported by regular bowling coach Jacob Oram and Craig McMillan who will assist with the batting and fielding.
Kane Williamson and Devon Conway were unavailable for selection due to their commitments in the South Africa SA20 competition.
Ben Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) were not considered for selection as they continue their rehabilitation from injury.
The T20I squad will assemble on Boxing Day ahead of the 1st T20I against Sri Lanka at Bay Oval on December 28.
BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka – KFC T20I Series
1st T20I – Saturday 28 December, 7:15pm - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
2nd T20I – Monday 30 December, 7:15pm - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
3rd T20I – Thursday 2 January, 1:15pm - Saxton Oval, Nelson
BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka – Chemist Warehouse ODI Series
1st ODI – Sunday 5 January, 11:00am - Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
2nd ODI – Wednesday 8 January, 2:00pm - Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd ODI – Saturday 11 January, 2:00pm - Eden Park, Auckland
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