Hard-hitter Jacobs gets maiden New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka T20Is
Written by I Dig Sports"It's obviously an exciting time for Bevon and his family," NZC selector Sam Wells said. "He's a promising player with a lot of talent and we're looking forward to exposing him to international cricket.
"He's clearly got a lot of power with the bat, but he's also shown in the longer formats that he has a decent technique and temperament."
After narrowly missing out on another half-century in his second before, he racked up 80 against his old team, Canterbury.
Foulkes and Robinson debuted in the T20Is in Pakistan in April, while Hay's debut came in Sri Lanka in November. Hay is set to keep wickets in the T20Is, and will be cover for Tom Latham in the ODIs that follow.
While Jacobs, Foulkes and Robinson have only been called up for the T20Is, Latham, Will Young and Will O'Rourke will join the squad for the one-dayers. O'Rourke has been rested for the T20Is after a heavy Test workload, having featured in all eight Tests against Sri Lanka, India and England.
Ben Sears and Kyle Jamieson remain unavailable as they are still recuperating from knee and back injuries respectively.
The team will be coached by Luke Ronchi, with regular head coach Gary Stead taking a break. Ronchi will have Jacob Oram for support as the bowling coach, while Craig McMillan will look after the batting and fielding.
New Zealand also will play a tri-series in Pakistan, also featuring South Africa, before the Champions Trophy begins.
"As with the squads that recently toured Sri Lanka, we're keen to keep exposing new talent to the big stage and it's nice to have an experienced core of players around them," Wells said. "The Champions Trophy, like all ICC pinnacle events, is an obvious incentive for players and I know many will be keen to put their best foot forward in the ODI series to be in the frame for selection."
The T20Is will be played on December 28, 30 and January 2 before the ODIs on January 5, 8 and 11.
New Zealand T20I squad vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith
New Zealand ODI squad vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young