New Zealand has added Christian Clarke to their squad for the T20 series against India.
Clarke earned this opportunity after playing a key role in New Zealand’s historic ODI series win on Indian soil. The right-arm pacer receives his first call-up to the T20 squad.
The 24-year-old Clarke has been selected for the first three matches of the five-match T20 series against India.
Clarke made his international debut on January 11 in the first ODI against India, taking one wicket in that match. He followed it up with three wickets in each of the next two games.
He finished as the highest wicket-taker in the three-match ODI series, which New Zealand won 2-1, marking their first-ever ODI series victory in India.
In T20 internationals, Clarke has played 22 matches and taken 24 wickets, with his best figures being 3 wickets for 32 runs.
During the third and final ODI against India, spinning all-rounder Michael Bracewell suffered a leg muscle injury, while pacer Adam Milne is struggling with a hamstring issue. Both players’ availability for the T20 series remains uncertain.
Clarke has primarily been drafted as a cover player. New Zealand’s pace attack also includes Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Jack Fox, and Kyle Jamieson, with pace-bowling all-rounder James Neesham joining after the BPL.
The T20 series kicks off in Nagpur on Wednesday, with the next two matches scheduled for Friday and Sunday, followed by the final two games on January 28 and 31.
