Kelly and Carter to Lead Youthful New Zealand A Squad for South Africa Tour
Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will lead a youthful and promising New Zealand A squad on their upcoming tour of South Africa, as announced by New Zealand Cricket. The team, with an average age of just 25, features a mix of rising talent and experienced players hoping to further stake their claims for national selection.
The 15-member squad will play three one-day matches and two four-day games, with Kelly captaining the white-ball side and Carter leading in the red-ball fixtures. The squad includes ten players with international experience and will be coached by former Black Cap and current Northern Districts assistant coach Daniel Flynn.
Emerging Talent on Display
Among the standout names in the squad are Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Bevon Jacobs, and Rhys Mariu — all of whom have delivered strong performances on the international stage in recent months.
Foulkes made headlines on Test debut in Zimbabwe earlier this year, claiming a sensational 9 for 75 — the best figures by a New Zealander on debut. Abbas, meanwhile, smashed the fastest half-century on ODI debut by a Kiwi, reaching the mark in just 26 balls against Pakistan in March.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay also enjoyed a breakthrough season, setting a T20I world record with six dismissals in a single innings and playing a match-winning ODI knock of 99* against Pakistan in Hamilton.
Jacobs and Mariu, both relatively new to the international arena, have shown glimpses of their potential. Jacobs struck an unbeaten 44 on T20I debut, while Mariu notched a half-century in just his second ODI.
New Faces and Minor Changes
The squad sees two changes from the New Zealand A side that toured Bangladesh earlier this year. Test pacer Matt Fisher and explosive batter Bevon Jacobs have been included, while Auckland seamer Simon Keene earns a maiden New Zealand A call-up. Keene, 22, has impressed in domestic cricket with a first-class century and three five-wicket hauls in just 21 matches.
Notably absent is Northern Districts allrounder Kristian Clarke, who is recovering from a side strain sustained during a recent training camp.
Coaching Setup and Tour Objectives
Daniel Flynn takes charge as head coach for the first time, supported by high-performance coaches Bob Carter and Graeme Aldridge. Flynn emphasized the dual focus of the tour — development and performance.
“It’s an exciting blend,” Flynn said. “We have guys who’ve already had a taste of international cricket, and experienced domestic cricketers trying to push their case for that next level.”
“We’re going to South Africa to win games of cricket, but we also see this as a big developmental opportunity,” he added.
Tour Schedule and Departure
The team departs for South Africa on August 24, with the series set to begin on Saturday, August 30.
New Zealand A Squad for South Africa Tour:
Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Bevon Jacobs, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips.