Young New Zealand pacers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are set for their first overseas Test experiences, while Michael Bracewell returns to the squad after an extended gap of 18 months.
The trio has been included in a 15-member touring party to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Noida (September 9-13) before heading to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches, slated to get underway on September 18.
Five spin options in left-armers Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, alongside the right-arm off-spin of Bracewell and Glenn Phillips have been picked in the squad.
Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will form a settled top order with Tom Blundell taking the gloves and Will Young providing the batting cover. Kane Williamson, Daryll Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra will feature in the middle-order.
O’Rourke and Sears caught everyone’s attention during the recent home summer and were rewarded with their first national contracts in July.
Bracewell returned to the Test squad after recovering from a serious achilles injury, which was followed by a broken finger in February. His last Test appearance was in March 2023 against Sri Lanka in Wellington.
“It’s always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance and I know Will and Ben are really looking forward to the challenges of Test cricket in the sub-continent,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a statement issued by NZC.
“Michael’s had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the BLACKCAPS across all three formats.
“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,” he added.
Test captain Tim Southee will be joined by his new ball partner Matt Henry, who was the Player-of-the-Series against Australia at the end of the home summer.
Latham retained his position as vice-captain, with Stead acknowledging the possibility of Southee not playing every Test in Asia.
“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,” the coach 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 work-loads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served.”
Stead said the two Tests against Sri Lanka are crucial for the Kiwis, who hold the third spot in the WTC standings behind Australia and India.
“We know how important the points in Sri Lanka will be to our chances of pushing for a finals spot in England next 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.”
New Zealand Test squad: 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
(NZC Inputs)
