For their one-off Test match against Afghanistan and their two-match series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand has selected the team. Most of the squad is the same as the one that lost 2-0 to Australia at home earlier this year, with veteran fast bowler Tim Southee captaining the side that includes batsmen Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Kane Williamson.
Southee will be supported by fellow fast bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke. With Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Michael Bracewell forming the spin bowling attack. Considering the subcontinent pitches, the Kiwis have also included Glenn Phillips and Ravindra to strengthen the spin bowling unit.
Although spin is predicted to be a major factor in the sub-continental contests, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has already hinted that Southee and the other fast bowlers might not be deployed in every game.
“Test tours to the sub-continent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the heat and humidity,” he said.
“While we’re going over with an open mind around conditions, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests. Tim and I have discussed this and the need during these overseas tours to balance the workloads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served.”
The Kiwis will play the only Test against Afghanistan in Noida (India) on September 9, followed by two ICC World Test Championship matches in Sri Lanka on September 18 and 26.
According to Stead, the games will be crucial for New Zealand’s hopes of making it to the World Test Championship final next year. The Kiwis currently sit third in the ICC World Test Championship standings, behind leaders Australia and India.
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Reminding his team of the importance of the Sri Lanka Test series, Kiwi coach Gary Stead said, “We are aware of the significance of the points we earn in Sri Lanka for our prospects of competing for a finals spot in England the following year. We managed one win from the two Test series in challenging conditions in Bangladesh last December and are keen to build on that. The whole squad is looking forward to test their skills in the longest form of the game in the sub-continent.”
After the two games in Sri Lanka, New Zealand will play a three-match series away from home against India in October and November, followed by a final-round three-game series at home against England in December.
New Zealand Squad for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Test Series 2024
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Afghanistan vs New Zealand 2024 Test Series Schedule
- Only Test, Noida, September 9-13
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2024 Test Series Schedule
- First Test, Galle, September 18-22
- Second Test, Galle, September 26-30
