New Zealand A to Play T20 and One-Day Series in Australia

A New Zealand A squad featuring several international players is preparing to travel to Australia for a white-ball tour. The 16-player squad, which includes 13 cricketers with international experience, will first compete in the Top End T20 Series before taking part in three 50-over matches against South Australia, Tasmania and Nepal.

The team will make its first appearance in the NT Top End T20 Series, which runs in Darwin from August 20 to 30. The tournament features nine teams, with each side playing six league matches before the knockout stage. Top End was launched in 2022 and has developed into a competition that gives high-potential players an international pathway by bringing together national teams, high-performance squads and T20 franchises.

Once the T20 competition finishes, the New Zealand A 50-over side will play one-day matches against South Australia, Tasmania and Nepal.

Experienced Squad Blends International Talent with New Faces

Thirteen members of the New Zealand A squad have already represented the BLACKCAPS. Among them are Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox and Ben Lister, all of whom were part of New Zealand’s 5-0 ODI series win over the West Indies last month. Left-arm spinner Lennox, who won the Player of the Series award after claiming his first ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5-19, will head the spin attack alongside leg-spinner Adi Ashok, while all-rounder Foxcroft provides another spin option.

The fast-bowling group includes Kristian Clarke, Fisher, Lister, Zak Gibson, Muhammad Abbas and Josh Clarkson. Gibson, a 29-year-old pacer from Te Awamutu who plays for Northern Districts, has received his first New Zealand A selection after helping Northern Brave win their third Super Smash title in five years.

The batting unit features aggressive openers Tim Robinson and Katene Clarke. Robinson scored his maiden international century with an unbeaten 106 off 66 balls in the opening T20I against Australia at Bay Oval last summer.

The middle order includes Bevon Jacobs, Matt Boyle, Abbas, Clarkson and Foxcroft, while wicketkeeper-batters Max Chu and Hay will share keeping duties. Rhys Mariu, who made his BLACKCAPS debut in 2025 and already has an ODI fifty, has been selected for the 50-over matches.

Tour Offers Valuable Development Opportunity

New Zealand Cricket’s Head of High Performance Development, Pete Sanford, said the Darwin tour adds an important T20 element to the New Zealand A programme, which has traditionally focused more on four-day and 50-over cricket.

“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. This tour also provides valuable time on grass wickets during New Zealand’s winter so these players can prepare for the home summer starting in just a couple of months’ time,” he added.

High performance coach Daniel Flynn will oversee the squad during the tour, with Paul Wiseman and Graeme Aldridge joining him in the coaching group. The team will leave on August 16 before opening its Top End T20 campaign on August 22.

The tour represents a key development opportunity for New Zealand’s next generation of international cricketers as they prepare for the upcoming domestic season.

New Zealand A Squad for Australia

Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Max Chu, Matt Boyle, Katene Clarke (T20 only), Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu (50-overs only), Tim Robinson.

New Zealand A tour of Australia Schedule

Top End T20 Series:

One-Day Series:

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