New Zealand Cricket named a 14-member squad for the upcoming home test series against England. The squad will be led by Tom Latham, who recently became the first Kiwi captain to win a test series in India.
With this series, Kane Williamson returns to the test team after an injury that cost him India’s test tour in October-November. Apart from Williamson, young all-rounder Nathan Smith has earned his maiden call for the test side.
Nathan Smith has made his international debut in the first match of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the hero of New Zealand’s historic triumph in India, Mitchel Santner, will be available for the second and third tests only.
This New Zealand vs England Test series will also witness a historic event, as the fast bowling legend of New Zealand, Tim Southee, will play his last test in Hamilton. Southee has announced his retirement from the tests after a few hours of New Zealand’s squad announcement.
Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel (who proved to be an X factor in New Zealand’s test victories in India) are not included in the squad. On the other side, Ben Sears and Kyle Jamison were not considered for selection due to their ongoing rehabilitation from injury.
New Zealand Test Squad for England Series
Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (for 2nd & 3rd Tests only), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
