Bevon Jacobs’ Inclusion Headlines the First Black Caps Squad of the Rob Walter Era
A new era begins.
The Rob Walter era has commenced in earnest, with the Black Caps naming their squad earlier this morning to face Zimbabwe and South Africa in an upcoming T20 tri-series in Harare, kicking off on July 16th.
The squad is as follows:
Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), and Ish Sodhi.
Notable Omissions: Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Hay, Adithya Ashok, and Ben Sears.
Largely, it is a case of business as usual as the Black Caps venture back to African shores for the first time since 2016. Yes, you read that right. The Black Caps last played cricket in Africa in the second Test vs South Africa at Centurion on August 30, 2016—3,223 long days ago. Obama was still the American president. We last played a game of white ball cricket in Africa nearly a decade ago, in the third ODI at Durban on August 26, 2015—3,593 days ago. A random selection of names on the team sheet that day? George Worker, Doug Bracewell, and Ben Wheeler. In the meantime, not only have the Black Caps not been invited back to African shores, but South Africa nearly killed Test cricket by sending their D team to New Zealand last year, the South African teams left Super Rugby, and the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. I’m not sure what we did to piss them off so much. Was it stealing your coach and half your players?
Anyway, we’re finally back to take on Zimbabwe and the freshly crowned World Test Champions, South Africa, with their former coach and a shiny, new South African-born toy in tow. Bevon Jacobs, who was born in Pretoria but whose family moved to New Zealand when he was three, is likely to generate the most interest, fresh off his first season with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, where he didn’t get a game. Jacobs, 23, generated headlines when Mumbai selected him from seemingly nowhere in the most recent IPL auction, but make no mistake, Jacobs isn’t just some random white ball slogger. Instead, he seems likely to feature for New Zealand in all three formats in the not-too-distant future. While Jacobs has only played five first-class fixtures for Auckland to date, he has taken to the professional game like a duck to water, averaging an eye-popping 59.5, including his maiden ton, 157, in his most recent outing against Central Districts. Pair that with a T20 average of 32.53 and a strike rate of 148.42, and it is easy to see why many in-the-know in NZ cricket circles rate Jacobs so highly. It will therefore come as music to fans’ ears that, amid the era of casual contracts and T20 globetrotting, Jacobs recently signalled in an interview with the New Zealand Herald his desire to be a three-format player and to play Test cricket for New Zealand: “In the long run, I want to be a three-format player. I want that for New Zealand as well. I want to play test cricket.” You beauty. It would take a brave person to bet against it.
Zac Foulkes, 23, is the other inclusion that some fans might not be overly familiar with. Foulkes, a bustling young fast bowler from Canterbury, has featured in one ODI and 10 T20s so far for New Zealand, in which he has taken 13 wickets at 23.46 with an economy rate of 8.43. More recently, Foulkes featured for New Zealand A against Bangladesh A, where his stats read as follows:
List A: 39 runs from two innings at 39. Two wickets at 54 with an economy rate of 5.8.
First-class: 14 runs from one innings at 14. Three wickets at 35 with an economy rate of 3.6.
In his most recent domestic seasons, Foulkes took 16 wickets at 25.5 in the Ford Trophy (equal 4th most), 15 wickets at 31.8 in the Plunket Shield (20th most, but he only played in half the matches), and 13 wickets at 21.5 and an economy of 8.1 in the Super Smash (equal 4th most). Overall, his domestic numbers are highly promising, having taken 60 wickets from 46 T20s at 19.6 and 54 first-class wickets at 26.7. Like Jacobs, I expect it will be more a matter of ‘when’ than ‘if’ Foulkes plays Test cricket for New Zealand, though he may have to bide his time slightly longer, being stuck behind Henry, O’Rourke, Jamieson, and Sears in the current red ball pecking order. Buy your Foulkes stocks now, they will only continue to rise.
Aside from that, the team is broadly as expected. I doubt there’s too much I can tell you about Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, World #1 Ranked T20I Bowler Matt Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, et al. that you don’t already know. They will do the sorts of things they usually do on cricket fields. However, it will be interesting to see if Walter deploys anyone in new roles or with new tactical instructions (I’m thinking particularly about Mitchell’s recent tendency to be a slow starter in white ball cricket).
Of more interest is the list of notable omissions, headlined by Devon Conway. Before we get to that, we’ll cover the housekeeping: Jamieson will remain in New Zealand for the birth of his first child (congrats, KJ, and I await the future 8-foot behemoth playing for the Black Caps/White Ferns with great eagerness), Ben Sears has a side injury (a New Zealand fast bowler is injured? Well, I never), Ferguson is unselected for “load management” reasons (read: can’t seem to bowl two overs without picking up 17 discreet injuries), per the NZ Herald, and Williamson’s omission has long been telegraphed due to his ongoing stint with Middlesex/The London Spirit. He will also miss the Zimbabwe Tests that follow this series.
Conversely, Conway has simply “not been selected”, per the NZ Herald, replaced instead by fellow South African-born Kiwi, Bevon Jacobs. It is both an interesting and a big decision, though not necessarily unreasonable, after Conway struggled mightily for New Zealand in 2024, averaging 21.44 in Test cricket. Conway's recent T20I form is arguably even more concerning: he averaged 13 and struck at 109 in 2023, and averaged 22.8 and struck at 118 in 2024. His recent domestic returns have scarcely been better, averaging 30 but striking at only 113 in the 2024/25 SA20, averaging 30 and striking at 131 in the most recent IPL, where he was dropped by CSK mid-season, and currently averaging 33.75 but striking at just 127.35 in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) season.
While I can understand why Conway has been dropped, particularly for a T20 tri-series which will be afterthought in a couple of months, I still can’t help but feel that we have mismanaged Conway and wrecked his confidence by forcing him to open in Test cricket, when he would have been far better suited to filling Rosco’s vacated number four spot. If he can regain his form and confidence, I still believe that Conway is one of New Zealand’s six most naturally talented batters in all three formats, and this should not necessarily be the end of the road for him. With his IPL experience and strong overall record (average 43.2, strike rate 139.7), Conway could still have plenty to offer in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next February. On the other hand, one has to wonder if this is a call that Gary Stead, the notoriously conservative selector he was, would have made and whether this signals a bolder selection approach as we enter the Walter era?
Finally, I’m struggling to wrap my head around a pair of selection calls: Adithya Ashok and Mitchell Hay missing out for Ish Sodhi and Tim Seifert, respectively. Let’s start with the spinners. Ashok, 22, was recently granted his first New Zealand central contract, while Ish Sodhi, 32, missed the contract list. That fact alone, combined with their respective ages and prospects, makes this a puzzling decision. Additionally, Sodhi is unlikely to be the first or even second choice spinner with Santner and Bracewell also included in the squad, so I don’t see what he’s gaining from this tour by likely warming the bench, when Ashok could be gaining valuable experience. There is also the fact that Sodhi’s recent returns have diminished. In 2024, he took 12 wickets from 14 T20Is at an average of 29.66 and an economy of 8.21—his worst average and economy in a calendar year since 2019. Sodhi played just one ODI in 2024, but before that, in 2023, he played 14, taking 15 wickets at 39—his worst average in a calendar year since 2016. The only justification I can come up with is that the selectors expect Sodhi to play a prominent role at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, where he has a stellar record. Sodhi has played 13 T20Is in India, taking 19 wickets at an average of 17.1 and an economy rate of 7.1. Sodhi also fared solidly in his limited IPL opportunities in 2018 and 2019, taking nine wickets from eight matches at 22.44 and an economy of 6.69. I still think he should have been excluded from this tour, allowing Ashok to develop, and then returned to the frame for the World Cup if necessary.
The decision to select Seifert over Mitchell Hay is far more understandable, though I’m still not sure I entirely agree. It’s not that I’m against Seifert’s selection as much as I’m against Hay’s exclusion. Again, Seifert, 30, turned down a central contract, while Hay, 24, was recently granted his first. That shouldn’t count for everything, but it should count for something. However, Seifert’s form has simply been too good to ignore. In five T20Is so far in 2025, he is averaging an otherworldly 62.25 and striking at 207.5. In contrast, while Hay hasn’t set the world on fire in his 10 T20I opportunities so far, averaging just 14.16 and striking at 130.76, he has done very little wrong with the gloves and has been impressive in his 7 ODIs, where he averages 41.5 and strikes at 104.4.
To be fair, Hay hasn’t quite clocked T20 cricket yet, averaging 16.34 and striking at 140.65. However, I think this is more or less a coincidence, which can be explained by youth and small sample sizes. From what I have seen of his natural talent and ball striking abilities, there is no reason Hay cannot ultimately be a very, very valuable T20 contributor. Above all, I believe that Hay is the future, and like Ashok, I would have taken him on this tour to gain experience and extra reps.
Then again, it’s no good saying you would have picked someone else without sticking your neck on the line and saying who you would drop. I would have left out Milne, another player who isn’t centrally contracted, to make room for Hay, as I’m not entirely sure we need all five of Henry, O’Rourke, Duffy, Foulkes, and Milne in the same squad. While I’m always happy to see Milne feature for New Zealand, his recent form has been nothing special: in 2023 in T20Is, he went at an economy rate of 8.71, which ballooned to an eye-watering 11.13 in 2024, his two worst economy rates in a calendar year since 2012. Recently, Milne played two matches in the 2025 PSL, where he failed to take a wicket and went at an economy of 11.37.
Muhammad Abbas, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Will Young, and Nathan Smith are the other NZC centrally contracted players who missed out on this squad. None of these decisions are shocking, with Abbas still young, Nicholls on the outer, and Blundell, Young, and Smith seemingly seen more as red ball options.
Form Guide
By the time the first T20 against South Africa commences, it will have been three and a half months since the Black Caps last played international cricket, and with the global T20 franchise carousel in full swing, players will be coming to this squad from far and wide. Here’s a quick form guide detailing how our players have fared on the T20 circuit lately.
Mitchell Santner
Captain Mitchell Santner has been a busy boy, splitting his time between the IPL with Mumbai and the Vitality Blast with Surrey.
IPL 2025 Stats: 13 matches played, 10 wickets at 31.3 with an economy of 7.92. 40 runs at 20 with a strike rate of 121.21.
Blast 2025 Stats*: Six matches played, 13 wickets at 11.38 with an economy of 6.93. 29 runs at 14.50 with a strike rate of 111.53.
*In instances where a tournament is ongoing, like the Blast and MLC, stats are accurate as of June 27, 2025.
Finn Allen
Finn Allen recently made headlines and shattered records by scoring a 34-ball hundred in Major League Cricket and has also spent time in the PSL this offseason.
PSL 2025 Stats: 11 matches played, 213 runs at 23.66 with a strike rate of 171.77. One fifty, no hundreds.
MLC 2025 Stats: Five matches played, 298 runs scored at 59.6 with a strike rate of 246.28. Two fifties, one hundred.
Michael Bracewell
Like Allen, Bracewell has also split his time between the PSL and Major League Cricket.
PSL 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, 83 runs scored at 13.83 with a strike rate of 150.9. Six wickets at 37.66 with an economy of 10.27.
MLC 2025 Stats: Five matches played, 147 runs scored at 49 with a strike rate of 159.78. One fifty, no hundreds. Four wickets at 38.5 with an economy of 9.62.
Mark Chapman
Chapman is yet another person who has spent his off-season flitting between Pakistan and America.
PSL 2025 Stats: Six matches played, 52 runs scored at 17.33 with a strike rate of 120.93.
MLC 2025 Stats: Two matches played, 62 runs scored at 62 with a strike rate of 116.98.
Jacob Duffy
The world’s number one-ranked T20I bowler got his first taste of the franchise circuit this offseason, spending time with Worcestershire in the Vitality Blast.
Blast 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, 10 wickets at 23.2 with an economy of 8.28.
Zak Foulkes
Like Duffy, Foulkes also spent his winter playing in the Vitality Blast for Durham.
Blast 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, six wickets at 33.83 with an economy of 7.2.
Matt Henry
The Blast was evidently the go-to destination for New Zealand seamers this year, with Matt Henry also spending his time there for Somerset.
Blast 2025 Stats: Seven matches played, 10 wickets at 20.2 with an economy of 7.76.
Bevon Jacobs
As mentioned, Bevon Jacobs spent his time with Mumbai in the IPL, where, although he didn’t play a game, he surely learnt plenty, recounting this anecdote to the NZ Herald:
“You’re in the nets, and it’s a competitive environment, you’re trying to focus, but then you know Bumrah’s coming in to bowl at you. You’re pinching yourself, he’s the best bowler in the world. Facing that is pretty surreal. [You’re thinking] ‘wow, this is awesome, this is a great opportunity to challenge myself and learn something new. In all fairness, he cleaned me up third ball–which is pretty funny, but it was awesome.”
Jacobs also turned out in the IL20.
IL20 2025 Stats: Three matches played, 26 runs at 15 with a strike rate of 96.29.
Adam Milne
Milne has been especially busy, featuring in the IL20, PSL, and MLC.
IL20 2025 Stats: 12 matches played, 14 wickets at 25 with an economy of 8.
PSL 2025 Stats: Two matches played, zero wickets with an economy of 11.37.
MLC 2025 Stats: Four matches played, nine wickets at 10.66 with an economy of 6.77.
Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell is another who took the seemingly well-worn path of playing in the PSL and MLC.
PSL 2025 Stats: Nine matches played, 241 runs scored at 26.77 with a strike rate of 154.48. Two fifties, no hundreds. Three wickets at 32 with an economy of 10.1.
MLC 2025 Stats: Four matches played, 79 runs scored at 26.33 with an economy of 103.94. Two wickets at 57 with an economy of 11.21.
Will O’Rourke
Will O’Rourke got a late IPL call-up for LSG when the season took a one-week pause amid the India-Pakistan conflict, and has also featured for Yorkshire in the Blast.
IPL 2025 Stats: Three matches played, six wickets at 22 with an economy of 12.77.
Blast 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, nine wickets at 32.22 with an economy of 9.35. 26 runs at 26 with a strike rate of 92.85.
Glenn Phillips
Phillips was set to play for Gujarat in the 2025 IPL, but was ruled out due to a groin injury. Since recovering, he’s been featuring in MLC, though he has so far struggled to make an impact.
MLC 2025 Stats: Four matches played, 15 runs at 7.5 with a strike rate of 100. Two overs bowled for an economy of 17.5.
Rachin Ravindra
Ravindra had another solid but unspectacular season for Chennai in the IPL and has since been playing for Washington in MLC.
IPL 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, 191 runs at 27.28 with a strike rate of 128.18. One fifty, no hundreds.
MLC 2025 Stats: Six matches played, 115 runs at 23 with a strike rate of 225.49. One wicket at 74 with an economy of 12.33.
Tim Seifert
With his freelance contract, Seifert has been especially busy on the global T20 circuit, featuring in the IL20, PSL, and MLC.
IL20 2025 Stats: Eight matches played, 101 runs scored at 20.2 with a strike rate of 109.78. Five catches, zero stumpings.
PSL 2025 Stats: 10 matches played, 242 runs scored at 24.2 with a strike rate of 148.46. Four catches, two stumpings.
MLC 2025 Stats: Five matches played, 82 runs scored at 20.5 with a strike rate of 124.24. Five catches, zero stumpings.
Ish Sodhi
Without wanting to dig the boot in, Sodhi hasn’t been able to pick up any T20 franchise contracts recently, making his inclusion all the more puzzling.
Tour Schedule
T20 TRI-SERIES: BLACKCAPS, ZIMBABWE, AND SOUTH AFRICA
16 July, Harare, 11 PM NZT: New Zealand v South Africa
18 July, Harare, 11 PM NZT: New Zealand v Zimbabwe
22 July. Harare, 11 PM NZT: New Zealand v South Africa
24 July, Harare, 11 PM NZT: New Zealand v Zimbabwe
26 July, Harare, 11 PM NZT: Q1 v Q2 Final
TEST SERIES: BLACKCAPS vs ZIMBABWE
30 July-3 August, Bulawayo, 8 PM NZT: First Test
7-11 August, Bulawayo, 8 PM NZT, Bulawayo: Second Test
NEW ZEALAND A TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
Unofficial ODIS:
30 August, Pretoria, 8 PM NZT: New Zealand A vs South Africa A
01 September, Pretoria, 8 PM NZT: New Zealand A vs South Africa A
03 September, Pretoria, 8 PM NZT: New Zealand A vs South Africa A
Unofficial Tests:
7-10 September, Potchefstroom, 8 PM NZT: First Unofficial Test
14-17 September, Pretoria, 8 PM NZT: Second Unofficial Test
Sodhi clearly picked for the vibes.