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Walter updates injury status of key Blackcaps ahead of England series
Jaxin Daniels ⹠ October 7th, 2025 8:00 am
Blackcaps coach Rob Walter | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
After an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, Blackcaps coach Rob Walter caught up with Sport Nation's Scotty and Izzy to discuss the series and what the team is looking like heading into the England T20 series.
âThere were little moments there that were certainly positive,â Walter said.
âWe sort of almost executed our plans that we discussed, and they were just better than us on the day with the bats.
âFrom a bowling point of view, I thought the guys were brilliant. I thought they fought amazingly well.
âYou donât often have a scorecard where one person gets 100 and no one else gets over 15.â
With the team as a whole is on the younger side, Walter knows the impact those experienced players need to bring to the squad.
âItâs always a balancing act,â Walter said.
âGiving guys the opportunity to play, and experience playing against good quality teams, is going to benefit us in the long run, as well as the players.
âThen making sure youâve also got that experience throughout the lineup.
âWe know what we get with Jimmy Neeshamâs experience and we can lean on him to come in and deliver that sort of performance, which is not unusual for him to do.
âAgain, thereâs positives and learnings all along the way.â
Jimmy Neesham takes four Aussie wickets in 3rd T20 | Sport Nation Cricket
When it comes to the England series, Izzy wonders whether the emergence of young players creates a selection headache, but to Walter, itâs a dream situation.Â
âIâve repeatedly said that the strength of our system is the people who donât play,â Walter said.
âThe stronger they are, the stronger the guys that are playing.
âFor Robbo (Tim Robinson) to come in and score 100 is only positive.
âOf course it creates pressure in positions and competition in positions, which makes guys play better, thatâs a massive positive.â
Tim Robinson scores maiden T20 century vs Australia | Sport Nation Cricket
Izzy also hints at a potential ship steadier getting the call for the England series.
âWeâre not 100% sure yet,â Walter said about the selection of Kane Williamson.
âHeâs on his way back from the UK so Iâll be catching up with him during the week.
âWeâll be discussing the whole summer, as opposed to just the one series, and where heâs at and what the summer looks like for him.â
But Walter is definitely hoping Williamson is available for selection.
âYeah thereâs no doubt,â Walter said.
âKane is a quality player, so having him available to play for the Blackcaps is great and important.
âHe adds a name, and a very high profile name, to the number of good players that weâre looking at for the World Cup.â
Someone also hoping to be on the flight to India for next year's T20 World Cup is Finn Allen, whoâs still trying to get back from a foot injury.
âHeâll be unlikely for the England series, he is recovering well,â Walter said.
âFinnâs had quite a number of these bone stress reactions, and heâs had an operation on that foot of his. So this is something thatâs going to take a bit of time, and we need to allow it to heal properly without rushing back into things.
âSo this England series will be out for him.â
A late out for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series was all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, someone Walter hopes can stay out of injury trouble.
âIf he doesnât throw himself into any more picket fences,â Walter joked.
âWeâre hopeful that heâll be back and just have a scar and a story to tell.â
The Blackcaps T20 series against England starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 18 with live ball-by-ball commentary available on Sport Nation.
