New Zealand A side named for match against England Lions

New Zealand Cricket has announced the New Zealand A side for the first of two four-day matches against the England Lions (England A) in Queenstown.

The squad is:

Jamie How (captain)
Brent Arnel
Trent Boult
James Franklin
Peter Ingram
Mitchell McClenaghan
Tim McIntosh
Bruce Martin
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
Luke Woodcock
Reece Young

Head of the selection panel Glenn Turner said the series would provide a good opportunity for both established and younger players to get time in the longer form of the game.

“Jamie How has agreed to captain the side, and this will give him an opportunity to find some form in a four-day setting,” said Turner. “James Franklin also has a good chance to show whether he can regain the form he’s shown in test cricket previously with the ball and also show his improvement with the bat.”

“Mitchell McClenaghan earns selection as one of the sharpest bowlers in the domestic competition and is in the promising category. Kane Williamson is another promising young talent – he’s batting well and also bowls off-spinners.”

Turner said it was notable that with Franklin, Boult and McClenaghan the side would take three left arm quick bowlers into the match. “That’s a bit unusual – and a good place to be in given that we have not had many left arm quicks performing at this level in recent years.”

The New Zealand A side plays the England Lions in four-day games at Queenstown, from 1 to 4 March, and at Lincoln, 7 to 10 March.

The series finishes with one-day games at Palmerston North on 13 and 16 March, and a Twenty20 at New Plymouth on 19 March.