Wellington Firebirds duo Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas have earned their maiden BLACKCAPS call-ups for the Chemist Warehouse ODI series against Pakistan, starting at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday.
Kelly’s selection comes off the back of another impressive season captaining the Wellington Firebirds, where he has been the standout batter on the domestic scene.
The 31-year-old, who is set to open the batting alongside Will Young, has scored 1,307 runs across all three formats during the 2024-25 season, including his fifth List A century (118) against Canterbury in February.
Kelly also leads the run-scoring charts in this season’s Plunket Shield with 749 runs, including four centuries.
Abbas, who featured for New Zealand A against Australia A last summer, had a memorable Ford Trophy campaign scoring 340 runs at 42.50 and registered his maiden List A century (104) against the Central Stags in New Plymouth in February.
Born in Pakistan, Abbas immigrated with his family to New Zealand when he was one and is the son of Azhar Abbas who played first-class cricket in Pakistan as well as for Auckland and Wellington, and is currently the Firebirds assistant coach.
The 21-year-old all-rounder touted as one of the most promising young white-ball prospects on the domestic circuit and will add middle-order batting depth to the squad, as well as an additional left-arm seam bowling option.
With ODI regulars Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips unavailable due to IPL commitments, the squad features a blend of high potential young players and experienced internationals.
22-year-old Auckland Aces leg spinner Adi Ashok is also selected, earning a second ODI squad call-up having made his international ODI debut against Bangladesh in December 2023.
Eight of the squad which reached the ICC Champions Trophy Final in Dubai earlier this month are selected, including Tom Latham who will captain the side in the absence of regular white-ball captain Santner.
Will Young will join Kelly at the top of the order, while Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell will add top-order batting experience.
Michael Bracewell, who is captaining the BLACKCAPS on home soil for the first time in the current T20I series against Pakistan, covers the spin bowling all-rounder spot, while Mitch Hay is selected as batting and wicket-keeping cover.
Will O’Rourke, who returned for the final two T20Is after a break to manage his workload, will lead a four-prong pace group which includes Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith and Ben Sears.
Matt Henry has been ruled out of the series as he continues his injury rehabilitation programme for his right-shoulder and a left-knee issue.
Kyle Jamieson, who featured in the first three T20Is against Pakistan, will also miss the series as the selectors continue to manage his workloads following the ICC Champions Trophy.
Kane Williamson wasn’t considered for selection after making himself unavailable.
With more than two years until the next ICC Cricket World Cup, selection preference was given to players on full national and domestic contracts.
BLACKCAPS ODI squad v Pakistan
Tom Latham (c) – Canterbury
Muhammad Abbas* – Wellington Firebirds
Adi Ashok – Auckland Aces
Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds
Mark Chapman – Auckland Aces
Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts
Mitch Hay – Canterbury
Nick Kelly* – Wellington Firebirds
Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury
Will O’Rourke – Canterbury
Ben Sears – Wellington Firebirds
Nathan Smith – Wellington Firebirds
Will Young – Central Stags
*uncapped
BLACKCAPS head selector Sam Wells said the series provided a good opportunity to build depth.
“With a group of regular ODI players unavailable, we have a selected group of high-potential players who are now ready for opportunities at international level,” said Wells.
“With the next ICC ODI pinnacle event still two and half years away, the series is a perfect opportunity to introduce, or re-introduce in the case of Adi, these players to international cricket now.
“Nick has been the standout domestic batsman the last few seasons. He is a dynamic stroke maker with power, and he can bat anywhere in the top six.
“Mo is one of our most promising young batters and he also provides a sixth bowling option which is required in the absence of Rachin (Ravindra) and Glenn (Phillips).
“It’s nice to be welcoming Adi back into the group again after having a taste of international cricket a couple of years ago.
“His performances for Auckland have been impressive. His accuracy in the middle overs is a valuable skill set he can bring to the team and now is a good time to give him some more valuable international experience.”
Gary Stead will lead the BLACKCAPS coaching staff, alongside batting coach Luke Ronchi, while NZC development coach Graeme Aldridge will join as bowling coach, while Jacob Oram takes a break.
The ODI squad assembles in Napier on Thursday, ahead of the first ODI at McLean Park on Saturday.
The Chemist Warehouse ODI series will be broadcast LIVE and free-to-air in New Zealand via TVNZ DUKE, TVNZ+, Sport Nation NZ and The ACC. The series will be LIVE scored at nzc.nz or via the NZC app.
BLACKCAPS v Pakistan – Chemist Warehouse ODI series
1st ODI – Saturday 29 March, 11:00am – McLean Park, Napier
2nd ODI – Wednesday 2 April, 11:00am – Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd ODI – Saturday 5 April, 11:00am – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
