By Tim Douglas 
New Zealand have unveiled a dynamic and experienced 15-player squad for the T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, with Bevon Jacobs in line for a long-awaited international debut and speedster Adam Milne making a timely return to national colours.
New Zealand, led by stand-in captain Mitch Santner, will take on Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare from July 16, as part of their white-ball return to Zimbabwe after a decade-long gap. The tournament, structured as a four-match tri-series, will conclude with a final on July 26 between the top two teams.
Bevon Jacobs, the promising 23-year-old Auckland Aces batter, is the only uncapped player in the squad. He returns to national contention after IPL exposure with the Mumbai Indians and consistent domestic form. Though previously included in the squad against Sri Lanka, Jacobs is yet to earn his first cap.
Joining him is Adam Milne, who hasn’t featured in a BLACKCAPS jersey since late 2024. His form in the Major League Cricket (MLC) for Texas Super Kings, where he’s taken nine wickets in four matches, has been instrumental in earning a recall. Milne’s inclusion bolsters a pace unit featuring the returning Matt Henry, fit again after a shoulder injury that followed his standout ICC Champions Trophy campaign.
Henry, Duffy, O’Rourke, Foulkes and Milne form a potent seam battery, with Duffy currently ranked No. 1 in T20Is. Spin duties will be managed by Ish Sodhi and Santner, with Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra providing all-round options.
The batting unit boasts firepower with Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Glenn Phillips, complemented by middle-order stability in Daryl Mitchell. Allen and Seifert, fresh from blazing performances in the Pakistan series and MLC respectively, are set to anchor the top order, with Seifert continuing as primary wicketkeeper.
Kane Williamson opted out of the tour, while pacers Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, and Kyle Jamieson are unavailable due to injury management and personal commitments.
Incoming head coach Rob Walter will make his debut series with the BLACKCAPS, supported by a refreshed coaching panel including Luke Ronchi, Jake Oram, and James Foster.
Walter highlighted the tour’s importance in the build-up to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, describing it as a vital opportunity to test squad depth and combinations.
“We’ve built a strong mix of youth and experience. Bevon brings a fresh spark, while Adam offers pace and maturity,” said Walter.
New Zealand Squad for T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe:
Santner (c), Allen, Bracewell, Chapman, Duffy, Foulkes, Henry, Jacobs*, Milne, Mitchell, O’Rourke, Phillips, Ravindra, Seifert (wk), Sodhi
(*Uncapped)
Zainab Shafiq 
webdesk 
Victoria Hamilton