Michael Rippon Likely To Play Against His Former International Team Netherlands

All-rounder Michael Rippon could well play against his former international teammates this season after being named in one of New Zealand's two white-ball squads to tour Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.

A left-arm wrist-spinner and lower-order batter, the 30-year-old Rippon has been selected as part of the second 15-player squad for the T20I series against Ireland in Belfast, two T20Is and an ODI against Scotland in Edinburgh, as well as two T20Is against the Netherlands.

Before that, Tom Latham leads an ODI Super League squad against Ireland, starting in Dublin on July 10.

Latham will then return home with Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry, Will Young and Jacob Duffy. Spinner Mitchell Santner will take over the captaincy from Latham after ODIs to lead the second squad, reports ICC.

Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Devon Conway will not take part on the tour, instead returning home following the England Test series.

Rippon has 31 international caps to his name for the Netherlands, playing against New Zealand in three ODIs in March and April this year. He claimed three wickets in the series, also making a half-century at the Bay Oval in the first outing.

Rippon qualifies for New Zealand having moved to the country in 2013. ICC eligibility rules allow players to represent an Associate nation while still remaining available for a Full Member nation. Once listed for a Full Member (Test) nation, they cannot play for an Associate for three years.

Selector Gavin Larsen believes his skill-set and consistency across New Zealand domestic cricket gives the side a needed boost.

"Michael Rippon thoroughly deserves his selection after consistent performances domestically for many seasons now," Larsen was quoted as saying by ICC. "His left-arm wrist spin is a point of difference and he also offers some punch down the order with the bat."

With 19 players named across the two squads, and the handful of players sitting out altogether, no less than 25 players could make a case for either this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup or the 2023 50-over Cricket World Cup squads, held next year in October.

Given the shuffle of players across the England Test squad and the upcoming trip, Larsen feels the sheer number of matches provides the chance for anyone to make an impression.

"Coming off the back of the England Test series and in the middle of another busy year, these tours were always going to be an opportunity to further test our depth in white-ball cricket," he said.

"With a T20 World Cup in Australia just around the corner and an ODI World Cup in India next year - this is a great chance to give players further opportunities on the international stage."

New Zealand ODI Super League squad for Ireland: Tom Latham, (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Dane Cleaver, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillip, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young

Also Read: Scorecard

New Zealand squad for Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.