The New Zealand Black Sox have announced the selection of 16 athletes to represent the country at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup, which kicks off this year with the group stage. World No. 8 New Zealand will play in Group B from July 10 to 14 in Prince Albert, Canada.
The seven-time world champions have 13 medals in the event but have failed to reach the podium in the last two editions of the tournament, marking the first time in history that New Zealand has finished outside the medals in consecutive editions. The group of players will be aiming to bounce back from an eighth-place finish at the last World Cup played on home soil at the end of 2022.
List of New Zealand Black Sox
- Tyrone Bardorillo
- Bishop of Te Vera
- Daniel Chapman
- Ben Enoch
- Thomas Enoch
- Cole Evans – Captain
- Rhys Evans
- Nick Hayes
- Wayne Lalu
- Reilly Macka
- Hohepa is a saint
- Thane Mumu
- Liam Potts
- Jerome Remaki
- Pita Rona
- Cameron Watts
The squad includes 11 players from the last World Cup, as well as ex-players Bartorillo, Hayes and Lalu, who helped New Zealand win their last World Cup in 2017. Other players from the World Cup winning team were Cole Evans, Ben Enoka and Thomas Enoka.
New Zealand qualified for the World Cup and finished second WBSC Oceania Qualifiers Played at Tony Soleida Field in Tafuba, American Samoa. New Zealand finished the tournament with a 4–2 record, beating hosts American Samoa in their three matches and beating defending world champions Australia 1–2.
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