New Zealand A to Compete in Top End T20 Series and One-Day Tournament in Australia

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a strong 16-member New Zealand A squad for a white-ball tour of Australia, where the team will make its debut appearance in the prestigious Top End T20 Series before competing in a three-match one-day tournament.

The squad features 13 players with international experience, highlighting New Zealand's impressive depth as the country continues to strengthen its high-performance pathway.

The Top End T20 Series, launched in 2022, will be held in Darwin from August 21 to August 30 and serves as a competitive platform for high-performance teams and T20 franchises. This year's edition will feature nine teams: New Zealand A, Nepal, Bangladesh A, Chicago Kingsmen, Australian Capital Territory, Cricket Victoria, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, and Northern Territory Strike.

Each side will play six round-robin matches before the tournament progresses to the semi-finals and final.

Strong Squad with International Experience

The New Zealand A squad includes international players Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Adithya Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Muhammad Abbas, Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Bevon Jacobs, and Rhys Mariu.

Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox enters the tournament in impressive form after claiming 14 wickets to earn Player of the Series honours in New Zealand's recent 3-2 ODI series victory over the West Indies. He will lead the spin attack alongside leg-spinner Adithya Ashok and all-rounder Dean Foxcroft.

The pace department features Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Ben Lister, Zak Gibson, and all-rounders Muhammad Abbas and Josh Clarkson.

Zak Gibson receives his maiden New Zealand A call-up following an outstanding domestic season with Northern Brave, where he played a key role in the team's third Super Smash title in five years.

The batting unit boasts T20I centurion Tim Robinson, recently capped Katene Clarke, Bevon Jacobs, Matt Boyle, Muhammad Abbas, Josh Clarkson, Dean Foxcroft, and wicketkeeper-batters Max Chu and Mitch Hay. Rhys Mariu has been selected exclusively for the 50-over matches.

One-Day Fixtures After T20 Campaign

Following the conclusion of the Top End T20 Series on August 30, New Zealand A will play three one-day matches at Marrara Cricket Ground 2 in Darwin:

• September 2: vs South Australia
• September 4: vs Tasmania
• September 6: vs Nepal

NZC Focused on Player Development

NZC Head of High Performance Development Pete Sanford said the tour represents an important opportunity for emerging players to gain valuable experience in competitive conditions.

"From a high-performance perspective, we see the Top End as a fantastic opportunity for players who are deeper in the succession plan to experience a high level of T20 cricket," Sanford said.

"Top End will give our next best cricketers game time against high-level opponents in a tournament structure, supporting our pinnacle event planning."

He added that playing on Australian grass wickets during New Zealand's winter would help players prepare for the upcoming home summer.

"It's fantastic to be able to name such a strong squad for this tour and a nod to the depth in our ranks at present," Sanford said.

New Zealand A Squad

Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Katene Clarke (T20s only), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu (50-over matches only), Tim Robinson.