The Kiwis have lost two of their key players for the Test series against the West Indies. Seaming all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel will both be missing out due to injuries sustained just a couple of days before the bilateral series starts.
Colin de Grandhomme has been reported to have a bruised foot which will not allow him to play freely. On the other hand, Patel has a torn calf muscle and will most likely take a substantial amount of time to recover.
As a result, they have been immediately pulled out of the Test side and have been replaced by Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner. Both these players are available to play the third T20I against the touring party on November 30, two days before the Test series begins.
Daryl has played just one Test so far and registered a half-century in his only innings. Santner has played 22 Tests so far and has picked up 39 wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin. His batting might also be crucial against a fighting West Indian side.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, "Mitch and Daryl will be available for the final T20 game before linking up with the test squad on Tuesday where we will monitor them closely to ensure they’re fit and fresh ahead of the first Test."
"They both proved last summer in the tests against England what they can do in our conditions with Mitch scoring a century and claiming three wickets at Bay Oval, while Daryl produced a polished half-century on debut at Seddon Park," he added.
(With inputs from AP)
