Tom Latham. | AFP file photo
Tom Latham would lead both the ODI and T20I sides of New Zealand, as two second-string teams were announced for the forthcoming Bangladesh tour starting on April 17.
New Zealand’s regular white-ball captain Mitchell Santner will be among the first-tier players missing the series due to their franchise league commitments.
Latham played only 29 T20Is in his 14-year career. However, he led New Zealand in 2021 when they played a five-match series.
Eight players were missing from their last ODI series against India, while only Ish Sodhi would feature in the Bangladesh tour from their T20 World Cup squad.
The likes of Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Santner, Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Kyle Jamieson will all be missing.
However, the trio of fast bowlers Matt Fisher, Will O’Rourke, and Blair Tickner returned to the side from injury.
Head Coach Rob Walter said it was pleasing to see the return of several players.
‘Will, Blair and Matt have been working very hard over the past few months to get themselves back on the park and back in contention for selection, and we’re pleased to welcome them back into the group.
‘With the amount of cricket being played in the modern game, having depth in our bowling stocks is key. Having players of this quality come back is great for our side,’ he said.
Off-spinning all-rounder Dean Foxcroft earned his recall to the white-ball side since his most recent T20I cap in April 2024.
The ODI series will begin on April 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where the second ODI is also scheduled for April 20.
The third and final ODI will be played in Chattogram on April 20, where the T20 series commences on April 23.
The series will be finished on May 2 in Mirpur before the second game on April 29 in Chattogram.
ODI squad: Tom Latham (C), Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
T20I squad: Tom Latham (C), Katene Clarke, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Bevon Jacobs, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.