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NEW DELHI: Experienced Kane Williamson on Friday made a comeback in New Zealand’s Test squad for their upcoming series against England.
Williamson was sidelined during New Zealand’s recent 3-0 series win in India due to a groin injury.
Fast bowler Tim Southee will join Williamson on the team. This series will mark Southee’s last in Test cricket.
Williamson holds the record for the most Test runs for New Zealand, having scored 8,881 runs in 102 matches at an impressive average of 54.48.
This series sees the introduction of Nathan Smith, an all-rounder, to the Test squad for the first time.
Uncapped fast bowler Jacob Duffy has also been included.
Surprisingly, Ajaz Patel, who took 15 wickets against India, did not make the squad.
The team’s spin option will be Mitchell Santner, who has been in good Test form recently, with Glenn Phillips providing backup.
Ben Sears and Kyle Jamieson are unavailable for selection due to knee and back injuries, respectively.
“It’s obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee only raises it up further,” said Black Caps selector Sam Wells.
New Zealand’s victory in India has put them back in contention for next year’s World Test Championship final. However, even if they win all three matches against England, a place in the final is not guaranteed.
England, under Ben Stokes’ captaincy, lost 2-1 to Pakistan in their last Test series.
“It’s also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time,” added Wells.
“Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group.”
Wells acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out Ajaz Patel. The decision, he said, was based on the expected home conditions and Santner’s recent form.
Tom Latham, who successfully captained the team in India, will continue to lead the Black Caps.
The three-match series against England will begin in Christchurch on November 28th, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton. Southee will bid farewell to Test cricket after the final match in Hamilton.
Test squad: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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