Rating the Black Caps players for 2026 T20 World Cup squad places

Saturday, 15 November 2025

Black Caps star Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket.

ANALYSIS: By the time the Black Caps play their next T20I, it’ll be in India just prior to the start of the 2026 World Cup.

We know now that Kane Williamson won’t be part of the squad, while Will O’Rourke is unlikely to recover from a back stress fracture in time to be considered.

Yet a lengthy injury list and some mixed form during three home series since the start of October means the make-up for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka in February has been far from settled.

“If it was easy to pick the 15, that’d be a problem,” Black Caps coach Rob Walter said after his troops had won their series 3-1 over the West Indies.

That’s ideal timing for the third and final edition of our World Cup player rankings, with the top 15 listed below holding prime positions.

1) Mitchell Santner: First name down on the team list, leads the side wisely, parsimonious as ever with his left-arm spin and a highly capable late-order hitter. Previous ranking: 1

Ish Sodhi celebrates with team-mates after taking a wicket for the Black Caps versus the West Indies at Saxton Oval in Nelson.

2) Tim Seifert: His explosive hitting in the PowerPlay would have made some difference against the West Indies, and it’s a blow we didn’t get to see him and Finn Allen together at home. Previous ranking: 2

3) Matt Henry: Was left out of the squad for the series against the Windies to rest a calf strain, which was the smart move, with plenty of work ahead for the No.1 pace bowler in the team. Previous ranking: 3

4) Glenn Phillips: Has to be a slight concern that it’s taking him a long time to get fully fit from a groin injury. Will have to prepare for the World Cup by playing for Otago in the Super Smash after Christmas. Previous ranking: 5

5) Rachin Ravindra: Looked good against the Windies without kicking on to a big score. Still doesn’t have a compelling T20I resume but will carry plenty of run-scoring responsibility at the World Cup. Previous ranking: 4

6) Lockie Ferguson: Has been sidelined for months with a hamstring injury and will return to action via franchise T20s. His experience and pace will be wanted in India and Sri Lanka. Previous ranking: 6

7) Finn Allen: Will return from a foot injury in the BBL across the Tasman next month. Likely to be given free rein alongside Seifert to blast away. Previous ranking: 7

8) Daryl Mitchell: A couple of brisk knocks against the Windies showed why he’s a regular fixture, and will be so at the World Cup. Previous ranking: 8

9) Jacob Duffy: Grabbed the spotlight late versus the Windies after finding it tougher against Australia and England. His T20I record overall this year is very good. Previous ranking: 9

10) Michael Bracewell: Mr Bits and Pieces didn’t have a huge impact in the home T20I season, but was a constant presence and his all-round game makes him an obvious squad member. Previous ranking: 10

11) Tim Robinson: Got his chances with Allen and then Seifert out, and backed up his century versus Australia with a string of flying starts versus the Windies. Is pushing hard for a place in the 1st XI. Previous ranking: 12

12) Ish Sodhi: After not playing against England, returned strongly by taking seven wickets in just 12.3 overs against the Windies and looks confident. Previous ranking: 19

13) Zak Foulkes: Didn’t feature greatly throughout the home string of T20I matches, but showed in the ODIs versus England what a useful weapon he can be with his swing. Previous ranking: 11

14) Mark Chapman: Enigmatic would be the best word for the left-handed batter, whose blistering 78 from 28 balls in Nelson probably showed enough to get him to the World Cup. Previous ranking: 15

15) Adam Milne: Another pace bowler regularly troubled by injuries, but will be wanted if he can prove his fitness during the SA20. Previous ranking: 13

16) Devon Conway: May not have done enough to sway the selectors despite the absences of Allen and Seifert, but could squeeze into the Cup squad in place of a bowler as a back-up wicketkeeper. Previous ranking: 14

17) Jimmy Neesham: Wasn’t a likely contender until a late call-up against Australia, and kept having moments which meant he couldn’t be ruled out. Previous ranking: 20

18) Kyle Jamieson: Got plenty of opportunities, but probably didn’t do enough with the ball to push past those expected to be fit for the tournament. Previous ranking: 17

19) Ben Sears: A hamstring injury massively hampered his chances, and a lack of top-flight cricket will now be a problem too. Previous ranking: 18

20) Bevon Jacobs: Hasn’t done enough in limited appearances to progress from potential batting star to trusted international. Previous ranking: 21

21) Mitch Hay: Could be regarded as unlucky not to get more matches, particularly with Seifert missing, but not currently in favour in the format. Previous ranking: 22

22) Nathan Smith: Made his ODI debut against England, and is likely to feature in the test series versus the Windies, but not in the T20I frame. Previous ranking: 25

23) Josh Clarkson: The Central Districts allrounder last played a T20I a year ago, but has starred in the domestic one-day competition, taking 16 wickets at 11.37 and also made a century in his most recent bat. Previous ranking: N/A

24) Adi Ashok: The young legspinner didn’t get a look-in against any of the three visiting sides, and though he has a NZC contract, hasn’t yet usurped Sodhi. Previous ranking: 23

25) Kristian Clarke: The Northern Districts pace-bowling allrounder got his first taste of senior international cricket when called into the ODI squad as an injury replacement. Previous ranking: N/A