The Black Caps, currently ranked third in the ICC World Test Championship standings, will play Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, from September 9-13, before traveling to Sri Lanka for matches on September 18 and 26.
Veteran fast bowler Tim Southee will lead the squad, which also includes key players like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra. Tom Latham will serve as vice-captain.
Head coach Gary Stead mentioned the possibility of rotating players, including Southee, due to challenging conditions in the sub-continent. “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,” PTI quoted Stead. “Tim and I have discussed the need to balance workloads during these overseas tours to ensure the team is best served.”
Spin bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell returns to the squad after an 18-month absence because of an Achilles injury and a broken finger. Bracewell will join left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, along with part-time spinners Phillips and Ravindra, in managing spin duties.
New Zealand Squad : Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
“Michael had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate from his injuries and force his way back into the BLACKCAPS across all three formats,” said Stead. “His all-round skills and ability to take the ball away from the left-hander make him a great asset, especially on what we expect will be turning wickets in India and Sri Lanka.”
Pacers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears have been given their first overseas Test call-ups. O’Rourke, aged 23, made an impressive debut against South Africa, while Sears debuted against Australia earlier this year.
New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka is seen as crucial for their World Test Championship campaign. Coach Stead highlighted the importance of the points in Sri Lanka for their chance to reach the final next year in England. “We know how important the points in Sri Lanka will be to our chances of pushing for a final spot in England next year,” Stead added.
The squad’s mix of veteran players and new talent shows New Zealand’s determination to adapt and perform well under challenging sub-continental conditions. Their focus remains on securing a place in the World Test Championship final.
