New Zealand cricket selectors have today named a 12-man NZ XI team for two one-dayers against an India A side featuring four familiar Canterbury names.

Canterbury speedster Andrew Hazeldine earns his recall into the national stage and is joined in the pace department by local teammate Henry Shipley.  Jack Boyle will open the batting while Theo van Woerkom is the specialist spinner.

BLACKCAPS all-rounder Daryl Mitchell will lead a youthful New Zealand XI which has been selected from the three Major Associations no longer in contention for the Super Smash finals, along with players who were not required by their Major Association in the domestic T20 competition.

The two sides will clash at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Canterbury on Friday and Sunday as an entree to the remainder of the international home summer.

India A boasts Test stars Mayank Agarwal, ranked 13th in the ICC Test batting rankings, and 20-year-old Prithvi Shaw – who scored a century on debut and averages 118.5 after two Tests.

Experienced international Vijay Shankar is the leading all-rounder and there’s no shortage of quality spinners with Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel and Khaleel Ahmed all having played for the Indian senior side.

India A will be captained by Shubman Gill, the Player of the Tournament at the 2018 ICC Under 19 World Cup, hosted in New Zealand.

New Zealand XI
Daryl Mitchell (Northern Districts) (c)
Finn Allen (Auckland Aces)
Jakob Bhula (Wellington Firebirds)
Jack Boyle (Canterbury)
Katene Clarke (Northern Districts)
Josh Clarkson (Central Stags)
Dane Cleaver (Central Stags) (wk)
Zak Gibson (Northern Districts)
Andrew Hazeldine (Canterbury)
Henry Shipley (Canterbury)
Sean Solia (Auckland Aces)
Theo van Woerkom (Canterbury)

India A Squad
Shubman Gill (c), Mayank Agarwal, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel, Ishan Porel, Sanju Samson, Vijay Shankar, Prithvi Shaw, Mohammed Siraj, Sandeep Warrier, Suryakumar Yadav.

Selector Gavin Larsen said the NZ XI had an exciting couple of days in store.

“It’s a great opportunity for our guys, many of whom are at different stages of their careers,” he said.

“India A are full of international experience and we know how tough it is to make that senior team so we’re under no illusions about the challenge ahead.

“Coach John Bracewell and myself are looking forward to seeing how the players respond, and who stands up.”