Clarke drafted into New Zealand squad as cover for Tickner ahead of Hamilton ODI

Kristian Clarke has been added to New Zealand's squad as cover for Blair Tickner ahead of the third ODI against India in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the home side said. The call-up arrives amid a string of injury concerns affecting the Black Caps during the ongoing series.

New Zealand Cricket said pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the fourth and fifth ODIs after failing to fully recover from a low-grade tear in his right calf sustained during the T20I series. Tickner was struck by a ball while batting during the second ODI and has been cleared of concussion, but he was replaced in the playing XI by Matt Fisher and must serve the ICC's mandatory seven-day stand-down period from the date of the match before returning to international cricket. Matt Henry, who was initially cleared of concussion following his collision with Devon Conway in Auckland, was reassessed in Wellington and advised to target a return for the fourth ODI.

Henry and Kyle Jamieson, who had been due to join the Test camp in Wellington after the third ODI, will now remain with the limited-overs squad for the fourth match. New Zealand intend to add two further players to the squad across the fourth and fifth ODIs to cover workload and availability. The adjustments follow the spate of injuries and precautionary concussion protocols implemented during the series.

A group of players has been released ahead of the Test preparations: Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith will leave for Wellington on Wednesday to begin preparations for the Test series. New Zealand Cricket said the Black Caps' Test squad for the series against India will be announced in the coming days. Selection changes for the limited-overs fixtures will be managed around those departures and the ongoing medical assessments.

Game 3 selection named for Hamilton is: Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young. The Game 4 group listed is: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (WK), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (WK), Will Young. Game 5 is to be confirmed.

The immediate next fixture is the third ODI in Hamilton on November 10, 2026, with the published selections for Games 3 and 4 in place and Game 5 still to be finalised.