Wellington all-rounder Nathan Smith has received his maiden Test call-up, and Kane Williamson has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of New Zealand’s tour of India. He will now join the group to play against England.
Injuries have made Bear Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) unavailable, so the selectors have included uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy in the squad. For the second and third Test matches in Wellington and Hamilton, the squad will also feature left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who claimed 13 wickets in Pune. The first Test will start on November 28 in Christchurch.
Earlier this week, Smith, 26, made his debut for his country in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. In September, they awarded him a central contract after he finished as the top wicket-taker in the previous season’s Plunket Shield with 33 wickets at an average of 17.18. In addition, Williamson scored three half-centuries and claimed 27 wickets at 21.14 for Worcestershire in the County Championship the previous season.
Since they left out Ajaz Patel, who took 15 wickets against India, he will continue to hold his record of getting all 85 of his Test wickets away from home for the time being.
Will Young, the Indian player of the series, may face pressure to keep his spot in the starting lineup as a result of Williamson’s return to fitness.
Earlier on Friday, officials declared that unless New Zealand advanced to the World Test Championship final, Tim Southee would retire from Test cricket after the England series.
They have a chance to make it to the final again after their 3-0 victory in India, but even a landslide victory vs England would not ensure it.
Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, stated, “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.”
“The audience and the squad will undoubtedly want to offer Tim a dignified farewell in this eagerly awaited series. With a track record of excellence, Nathan is an intriguing prospect who will undoubtedly provide a great deal of skill and enthusiasm to the team.
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