New Zealand’s injury returnees boost team as Latham leads Bangladesh tour in Santner’s absence

New Zealand has made several changes to its pace attack as they prepare for their upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh. The team has recalled Matthew Fisher, Will O’Rourke, and Blair Tickner after recovering from injuries, while Tom Latham will take charge of the side in the absence of Mitchell Santner, who is focused on his IPL commitments with Mumbai Indians.

O’Rourke is set to return for the One Day International (ODI) series after recovering from a back injury, while Fisher has been cleared to play in the T20 Internationals following a shin issue. Tickner, who had been sidelined due to an ankle problem, is now included in both squads. These selections reflect a rotation strategy that is driven by scheduling challenges and the need to manage player workloads in an increasingly busy cricket calendar.

Head coach Rob Walter acknowledged the returns of these players without overemphasizing their significance. He stated:

“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.”

Other notable additions include Dean Foxcroft, who makes his return to the white-ball setup for the first time since April 2024. His performance in the domestic season was impressive, as he scored 435 runs in 11 innings during the Ford Trophy, finishing as Central Districts’ second-highest run-scorer and fourth overall in the competition.

The ODI squad also includes Muhammad Abbas and Adi Ashok, both of whom were part of the recent New Zealand A series in Sri Lanka. Kristian Clarke and Ben Sears have been named in both squads, showing a focus on continuity rather than experimentation. Jayden Lennox, who was part of the group that secured a series win in India earlier this year, is again included and could be in line for a T20I debut.

Schedule and Logistics

New Zealand is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on April 13, with the first two ODIs set for April 17 and 20 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. The third ODI will be played in Chattogram on April 23.

The T20I leg begins at the same venue on April 27 and 29 before concluding in Dhaka on May 2. The itinerary, while standard, leaves little room for deviation—mirroring a squad selection that prioritizes availability and readiness over disruption.