NZC rope in family members of cricketers to announce WC squad

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced their World Cup squad by roping in the families of the chosen 15 to announce the players’ names.

In a never-before-seen style, NZC posted a video of the family members of the players calling out their names on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday.

The children, wives, mothers, grandmothers, and fiancés of the cricketersannounced the squad by saying their respective cap numbers.

The video starts with Kane Williamson’s wife and his kids saying New Zealand skipper’s ODI cap number. It was followed by the sons of Trent Boult, wives of Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mithcell’s and Tim Southee’s daughters, Lockie Ferguson’s fiancé, Jimmy Neesham’s grandmother, Will Young’s mother and Rachin Ravidnra’s parents.

Williamson is set to lead the Blackcaps but head coach Gary Stead said it is unclear whether the 33-year-old will be ready in time for their opening World Cup game against England on October 5 in Ahmedabad as he is still recovering from a long-term knee ligament injury.

Our 2023 @cricketworldcup squad introduced by their number 1 fans! #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/e7rgAD21mH— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 11, 2023

Tom Latham was named as Williamson’s deputy and he is set to keep wickets for the Blackcaps after taking the most number of catches as a keeper (21) at the last edition of the event.

Trent Boult returned to the Black Caps by taking three wickets in Sunday’s 79-run defeat to England when he knocked the top off the hosts’ batting line-up on his 100th ODI appearance, his first for nearly a year. He leads a seasoned fast bowling lineup, including Tim Southee, Lockie Fergusen, and Matt Henry.

A special morning at Papatoetoe High School for the 2023 @cricketworldcup squad announcement! Full squad and details | https://t.co/AdJ9pjk8z4 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS  = @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/P8G29ElOgV— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 11, 2023

All-rounder Neesham, who came within a whisker of glory for New Zealand when the 2019 World Cup final was settled by a tense Super Over, also made the 15-man side, while Ravindra is the spin-bowling all-rounder.

Conway, Phillips, Mitchell, and Chapman have secured their maiden World Cup spots, having previously been part of T20 World Cup squads.

Santner leads the spin bowling unit along with leg-spinner Sodhi.