Kelly and Carter named captains for New Zealand A tour of Bangladesh

Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will captain New Zealand A during their upcoming tour of Bangladesh, with the squad also including recent debutants Rhys Mariu and Muhammad Abbas.

Kelly will take charge of the one-day side for three 50-over matches, before handing over leadership duties to Carter for the two four-day games.

All three — Kelly, Mariu, and Abbas — made their New Zealand A debuts earlier this month against Pakistan. Abbas particularly stood out, smashing the fastest ODI fifty on debut off just 24 balls, while Kelly and Mariu were the top run-scorers in the Plunket Shield.

Carter, 32, was a standout performer during New Zealand A's last tour of the subcontinent, averaging 60.40 in India in 2022, where he struck two centuries, including a career-best 197.

Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, who scored an unbeaten 99 against Pakistan in Hamilton, has been named in the squad, alongside allrounder Josh Clarkson.

The pace attack will be bolstered by internationals Zak Foulkes and Ben Lister, while legspinner Adi Ashok — who featured against Pakistan and first appeared for New Zealand A in 2023 — also earns a call-up.

“For several players, this will be their first exposure to subcontinent conditions, presenting a great challenge and a valuable opportunity to develop their skills,” said coach Bob Carter.

The tour schedule features three one-day matches on May 5, 7, and 10 in Sylhet, followed by the first four-day game from May 14–17 at the same venue. The second four-day match will be held in Dhaka from May 21–24.

New Zealand A squad to face Bangladesh A:
Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips.

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