New Zealand A leave for their tour of India and Sri Lanka on Sunday, beginning their six week trip with a three day match against India A on 28 August.
The team will then play one four day match and three one dayers against India A, with all games being played in Visakhapatam. Sri Lanka is their next destination, where they’ll play two four day matches and three one dayers across Dambulla, Pallekalle and Kurunegala.
An extensive preparation programme has preceded the tour, including two training camps in Maroochydore, Queensland.
New Zealand A Coach Grant Bradburn has been impressed with the players’ attitude in the build-up to the series and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits.
“The squad have been put through some tough physical preparation and the players have every right to be proud of the work that has gone in,” said Bradburn.
“We all know these tours will be extremely challenging both on and off the field. We are expecting to be tested like never before, but I feel that this team is up for that challenge.
“Our task now is to trust in the preparation and switch into battle mode. Training well does not give the team the right to win, so we will be continuing to work hard to turn preparation into performance.”
New Zealand A squad:
Corey Anderson (Northern Knights)
Todd Astle (Canterbury Wizards)
Derek de Boorder (Otago Volts)
Doug Bracewell (Central Districts)
Neil Broom (Otago Volts)
Carl Cachopa (Central Districts)
Mark Gillespie (Wellington Firebirds)
Matthew Henry (Canterbury Wizards)
Tom Latham (Canterbury Wizards)
James Neesham (Otago Volts)
Adam Milne (Central Districts)
Daryl Mitchell (Northern Knights)
Colin Munro (Auckland Aces)
Luke Ronchi (Wellington Firebirds)
Ish Sodhi (Northern Knights)
To replace Otago players at end of long format matches against India A:
Anton Devcich (Northern Knights)
Andrew Ellis (Canterbury Wizards)
Scott Kuggeleijn (Northern Knights)
