Kane Williamson is expected to bounce back from his hamstring injury suffered in the home T20I series against Pakistan, as he secures a spot in the 14-player squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.
Under the leadership of Tim Southee, the team is set to participate in their initial home series of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC).
The Blackcaps are expected to gain crucial points as South Africa selects a less experienced squad, with Neil Brand leading, prioritizing top players for SA20.
Injuries to Williamson, Blundell, and Jamieson add to the challenges. New Zealand, favoring a pace-heavy strategy in home conditions, has omitted Nicholls, Patel, and Sodhi despite their involvement in the away series against Bangladesh.
In the squad, Will O’Rourke, who is yet to play a Test, is included but only for the second Test in Hamilton. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead emphasized that the youthful South Africa side, despite missing some regular players, will not be taken lightly.
“It’s an honour to be involved in any Test match and I know the players are looking forward to the start of a big Test summer – in what is a big year of Test cricket home and away.”
“The Proteas are a highly competitive team across formats and, having never won a Test series against them home or away, we expect two stern challenges,” Stead said.
The coach discussed the choice to exclude Nicholls, Sodhi, and Patel, highlighting New Zealand’s intention to build a spin department featuring all-rounders Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner.
“All three players have made strong contributions to Test-winning performances over the past 14 months. But we believe we’ve struck a good balance between experience, and providing opportunities for newer players,” Stead added.
New Zealand holds the fourth position in the World Test Championship standings, having participated in two Tests during the current cycle, winning one and losing one.
The home series for New Zealand against South Africa is scheduled to commence on February 4
Since 2004, the Blackcaps have secured victory in just one Test against the Proteas. In the previous World Test Championship cycle, the two teams met in a two-match series in New Zealand, concluding with a 1-1 draw. South Africa claimed a 198-run win in the second Test at the Hagley Oval.
The upcoming series is set to kick off with the first Test at the Bay Oval on January 4, and the second Test is slated to be held at Seddon Park starting from February 13.
New Zealand squad: Tim Southee, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke (second Test only), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mitch Santner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
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