Indian-born Jeet Raval picked in New Zealand Test squad for Africa tour

Indian-born New Zealand batsman Jeet Raval has been picked in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ish Sodhi, the leg-spinner who had been dropped after the Pakistan series in Sharjah in 2014 has been recalled to the squad. While this is good news for most people, the axing of all-rounder Corey Anderson comes as a blow to the latter.

Raval has been in splendid form in the domestic circuit having notched up 780 runs at an average of 55.71. Bharat Popli, another consistent first-class cricketer in New Zealand also notched up 1,149 runs at an impressive average of 65.78 in the previous season, was also considered for selection, but couldn’t find a place in the squad.

Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach who recently extended his contract until the 2019 World Cup was impressed with Raval and Ish Sodhi.

“Raval has been impressive in the Plunket Shield for a number of years now and in the past 12 months, we have seen his maturity and decision-making continues to improve,” noted Hesson on Thursday (June 9).

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“He has learnt to adapt to conditions and has performed well for New Zealand ‘A’, so we believe he is more than ready to make the step up to the international arena.”

“Ish [Sodhi] was outstanding in all formats during the second half of last season, beginning with his performances in the Plunket Shield for Northern Districts. He was also exceptional for us with the white ball last summer and that has seen him gain valuable confidence on the international stage.”

The Test squad witnesses Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, and Neil Wagner in the squad. Apart from the exclusion of Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan is missing from the side. Matt Henry and Henry Nicholls have been included in the side.

Test squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.