Two days before the deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) announced the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. With Kane Williamson leading the side, the Kiwis picked a star-studded team, consisting of the likes of Fin Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, etc. While the squad was highly anticipated by the cricketing fraternity, it was the manner of the announcement that left the cricket and social media world astonished.
In a video shared on social media, the New Zealand Cricket Board shared that they sent two children for the press conference to announce the squad. A boy, by the name of Angus, and a girl, by the name of Matilda named all the players that have been picked for the T20 World Cup.
Here's the video of New Zealand's viral squad announcement:
"I'd like to congratulate everyone named today. It's a special time representing your country at a world tournament," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said on the occasion.
"We expect the venues in the West Indies to offer quite varied conditions and feel we've selected a squad with the scope to adapt to those conditions."
"Matt has worked exceptionally hard on his skills across the phases of a T20 game to come back into selection consideration," Stead added.
Rachin Ravindra, who has impressed everyone with his performances quite early into his international career, will feature for the Kiwis in a T20 World Cup for the first time ever.
"Rachin has made every post a winner in the past 12 months and it was exciting to see him continue that trajectory over the summer in the T20 format against Australia."
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears