Hamish Bennett

New Zealand have picked veteran pacer Hamish Bennett in their 14-man squad to face India in the five T20 Internationals, which starts at Eden Park in Auckland next Friday.

Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have forced New Zealand to opt for fresh blood in their pace attack for the three-match ODI series against India starting February 5 in Hamilton.

Shilpa Shetty Kundra sure seems to love hanging out with cricketers. The actress was seen at this do that had some cricketers from the New Zealand team in attendance.

Bennett made his international debut in a one-day match against Bangladesh in 2010. He picked up 43 wickets in 19 ODIs and 11 T20Is, making his last appearance in New Zealand's T20I series in Bangladesh in September.

New Zealand retained injured Martin Guptill in their squad named Sunday for the upcoming Twenty20 series against Australia but have placed this season's breakout star, the uncapped Finn Allen, on standby.

Manoj Tiwary's unbeaten half century went in vain as India lost their second Twenty20 match of the Emerging Players Tournament against New Zealand.

New Zealand pacer Hamish Bennett says Tim Southee showed exemplary leadership qualities when he played through pain and discomfort during the second ODI against India.

New Zealand are expecting slow turning wickets in their T20 series in Bangladesh, similar to those employed by the hosts in their recent victory over Australia, Kiwi fast bowler Hamish Bennett said on Wednesday.

New Zealand players' participation in the IPL was approved by its cricket board on Tuesday when it also announced different squads for the sub-continent tour and T20 World Cup as part of its workload management in COVID times.

New Zealand medium-pacer Tim Southee made his international debut back in 2008, almost three years before Trent Boult came into the scene. However, Boult didn't take long to become NZ's spearhead and Southee began playing the second fiddle.

An unassailable lead has opened up the window for experimentation but there will be no let-up in India's intensity when they face a heartbroken New Zealand team in the fourth T2o International here on Friday.

New Zealand called up an uncapped Finn Allen and picked Will Young for the three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh on Tuesday in their bid to compensate for the absence of six players bound for next month's Indian Premier League.

Rohit Sharma scored 65 runs off 40 balls as India posted 179 for five in the third T20 International against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

Vijay Shankar and Shreyas Iyer scripted a superb chase to help India A notch up a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand A in a high-scoring unofficial ODI on Friday.

Manish Pandey led India's recovery with an unbeaten 50 off 36 balls, taking the visitors to 165 for eight against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International here on Friday.

New Zealand's cricket squad arrived in Pakistan Saturday for their first tour in 18 years, with batting coach Thilan Samaraweera returning to the country where he was shot in 2009. Samaraweera was part of the Sri Lankan team that was attacked by militants near the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore in 2009. The Kiwis will play 3 ODIs (Sept 17, 19, 21) in Rawalpindi, and five T20Is (Sept 25, 26, 29, October 1 and 3) in Lahore.

KL Rahul struck an impressive 112 to help India recover from a shaky start and post a challenging 296 for 7 in the inconsequential third and final ODI against New Zealand here on Tuesday.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and pace spearhead Trent Boult will miss the upcoming Twenty20 series against the West Indies to concentrate on Test matches, selectors said on Tuesday.

India suffered a 22-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the second one-dayer to lose the three-match series at Eden Park on Saturday. Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor smashed half-centuries as NZ survived to post a competitive 273 for 8 in 50 overs. Defending the total, the Kiwi bowlers were right on the money as they dismissed India for 251 in 48.3 overs.

Bangladesh will be looking for a famous new scalp when they take on a weakened New Zealand side in a Twenty20 series starting on Wednesday.