Cole McConchie has joined New Zealand’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, taking the place of Michael Bracewell. The 35-year-old all-rounder suffered a left calf injury during warm-ups before the team’s opening match against Afghanistan in Chennai.
<p>McConchie had just returned from a calf tear he sustained during the third ODI against India last month, and scans indicated he would need about three weeks to recover. Initially named as a traveling reserve, McConchie was promoted to the main squad after Bracewell withdrew.</p>
<p>McConchie is an established figure in domestic Cricket, having played 145 T20 matches. He comes into the team after a strong season with Canterbury Kings, where he took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.71, making him the team’s top wicket-taker. His performance adds valuable depth to the Black Caps lineup.</p>
<p>New Zealand has had mixed results in the tournament thus far. They won their first match against Afghanistan by five wickets, with Afghanistan scoring 182 runs, helped by Gulbadin Naib’s 63 runs. Lockie Ferguson took 2 wickets for 40 runs for New Zealand. The Black Caps chased down the target in just 17.5 overs, courtesy of Tim Seifert’s 65 runs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman recorded 2 wickets for 31 runs for Afghanistan.</p>
<p>New Zealand followed up with a commanding 10-wicket victory over the UAE. The UAE scored 173 runs, with Muhammad Waseem scoring an unbeaten 66 runs and Alishan Sharafu adding 55 runs. Matt Henry took 2 wickets for 37 runs. Seifert (89*) and Finn Allen (84*) lead the successful chase in just 15.2 overs.</p>
<p>In their most recent match, New Zealand lost to South Africa by seven wickets. They scored 175 runs, with Mark Chapman contributing 48 runs. Marco Jansen took 4 wickets for 40 runs, disrupting the batting. South Africa reached the target with ease in 17.1 overs, led by captain Aiden Markram, who scored an unbeaten 86 runs.</p>
<p>The Kiwis will conclude their Group Stage campaign against Canada on February 17 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, looking to gain momentum before entering the Super Eight stage.</p>
