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Captain Kane Williamson and bowler Kyle Jamieson have been withdrawn from the New Zealand T20 squad for Bangladesh series. Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy will replace them.

The decision to withdraw the pair follows further medical advice and consideration of the team’s upcoming schedule, with a focus on this summer’s Test series against South Africa and Australia.

Williamson will undergo a period of knee rehabilitation and strengthening following his recent return to play in India and Bangladesh. 

The advice on Jamieson is that his hamstring injury was best served by a period of targeted rehabilitation leading into February’s Test Series against South Africa.

He will also miss January’s T20 Series against Pakistan.  

Kiwi coach Gary Stead said the withdrawals were grounded in fresh medical advice.

“We want both Kane and Kyle to be in the best possible place leading into the next block of Test cricket against South Africa and Australia. Based on discussions with the medical staff and the players it was decided a period of rehabilitation and conditioning was the best option for both of them.”

Mitchell Santner will be captain for the series in Kane Williamson’s absence. The T20 Squad assemble in Napier on Boxing Day.

Revised New Zealand T20 Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee