They have been named in a fresh-looking Black Caps squad for next month’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, while Otago’s Dean Foxcroft has received a recall and Volts team-mate Jacob Duffy also gets another opportunity
The 15-strong squad will be led by Mitchell Santner for two T20Is and three ODIs starting in Dambulla on November 9.
Santner has been named as interim captain for the tour with a decision on the long-term ODI and T20I captains to be confirmed later in the year.
Smith’s maiden call-up comes after a strong 12 months for the 26-year-old from Oamaru.
He was named men’s domestic player of the year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in March and received his first Black Caps contract last month.
Smith, set to become the first Black Cap out of Waitaki Boys’ High School since David Sewell played a test in 1997, made his debut for Otago when he was just 17 but made the decision to shift north to Wellington in 2021.
He claimed 24 wickets across both white-ball competitions for the Firebirds last summer, including a career-best four for five against the Volts in a T20 fixture in Alexandra last year.
But it was with the red ball that he made the most impact. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield.
Smith’s haul of 33 wickets at an average of 17.18 was the sort of performance that gets you noticed.
Hay, 24, who debuted for New Zealand A last year, has been a consistent performer across all three formats in recent seasons and gets an opportunity as well.
Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson were not considered for selection as the Black Caps have prioritised the upcoming three-test series against England, starting in Christchurch on November 28.
Their absence has helped create room for the likes of Duffy and Foxcroft.
Foxcroft was bowled for a golden duck in his only ODI and has had only modest success in his five T20s for his adopted nation.
Duffy has 22 wickets across both formats and will join Lockie Ferguson and Zak Foulkes in the attack.
Powerful Wellington Firebirds opener Tim Robinson earns his second call-up after excelling on his maiden international voyage to Pakistan in April, along with all-rounder Josh Clarkson who impressed in last summer’s ODI series against Bangladesh.
Black Caps selector Sam Wells said the mix of youth and experience in the squad reflected the planning for upcoming ICC tournaments.
"This tour is the beginning of the buildup towards the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025 and we also have an eye towards the 2027 one-day Cricket World Cup," he said.
"Building depth is of critical important due to the demands of the international schedule and the need to peak for pinnacle events.
"For that reason it’s particularly exciting to include a number of players that we believe represent the future of the Black Caps."
"Nathan and Mitch have demanded selection through weight of performance and I am sure they will be looking forward to showcasing their skills on the international stage."
