Andrew Ellis added to BLACKCAPS Twenty20 squad Andrew Ellis added to BLACKCAPS Twenty20 squad

New Zealand Cricket today announced that Canterbury Wizards all-rounder Andrew Ellis has been added to the BLACKCAPS Twenty20 squad for The National Bank Series against Zimbabwe.

Ellis, who is in the one-day squad, replaces Dean Brownlie, who fractured his finger while fielding in Whangarei.

BLACKCAPS coach John Wright said that Ellis deserves to be included in the T20 squad following good performances in the HRV Cup and showing promise in the first two ODI matches.

“We would like to give Andrew the opportunity to show us his hitting power as he has not had the chance to spend a lot of time at the crease in this series,” said Wright.

Brownlie will miss both the ODI and Twenty20 series against South Africa after a hand specialist confirmed he was likely to be out for a month.

Twenty20 squad (announced 28 January 2012):

Brendon McCullum (c) – Otago Volts
Michael Bates – Auckland Aces
Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
Andrew Ellis – Canterbury Wizards
Colin de Grandhomme – Auckland Aces
James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Ronnie Hira – Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Jacob Oram – Central Stags
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights


The National Bank Twenty20 Series v South Africa

17/02/2012 - First T20, Westpac Stadium, Wellington - 7.00pm
19/02/2012 - Second T20, Seddon Park, Hamilton - 7.00pm
22/02/2012 - Third T20, Eden Park, Auckland - 7.00pm