New Zealand have announced their 15-man squad for two of the next three Test missions in the subcontinent. New Zealand will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida and then two World Test Championship matches against Sri Lanka in late September and October before heading to India for three more matches. The Black Caps have named the squad for the first two missions with Tim Southee leading the team and all-rounder Michael Bracewell returning to the team.
New Zealand has picked as many as five bowlers for the team, including four all-rounders, namely Bracewell, Mitchell SantnerRachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, with Ajaz Patel the only front-line player. Given the conditions in the subcontinent, New Zealand do not want to take any risks and have packed the squad with front-spinners so that they can have space in terms of team combination, meaning the front-spinners might not be in high demand, including captain Southee himself.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the team is going to the subcontinent with an open mind and with the possibility of vice-captain Tom Latham taking over as the team’s leader. Southee has not been in great form when it comes to Test cricket, having taken just six wickets in four matches in 2024.
“Test tours to the subcontinent can pose some really tough questions for pace bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the heat and humidity,” Stead said in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) statement. “While we are going with an open mind as to the conditions, there is an understanding that all of our bowling options may be needed in the different Tests.
“Tim and I have spoken about 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,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ben Sears and William O’Rourke have been called up for the first time to an overseas Test match after strong performances against South Africa and Australia earlier this year. With Neil Wagner already out of the Test squad and Kyle Jamieson recovering from injury, Sears and O’Rourke will form part of the pace attack for the Black Caps in the coming years, while Matt Henry will retain his place.
New Zealand squad for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka tests: 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 WilliamsonHe will be young
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