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ToggleNew Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home. Star batter Kane Williamson has been included in the squad despite recovering from the injury sustained during the T20I series against Pakistan.
Veteran pacer Tim Southee will lead the squad in their first home series of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC). The home team has selected a strong squad for the series, while South Africa has named a second-string squad led by the uncapped Neil Brand.
Rachin Ravindra Set To Play His First Test In New Zealand Since 2022
Rachin Ravindra, the winner of the Emerging Player of the Year award, is preparing for his first home Test since 2022. The 24-year-old made his Test debut in 2021-22 against India. He last played for New Zealand in the first Test against Bangladesh that summer.
Glenn Phillips is set to make his first Test appearance on home soil. Phillips played both Test matches in the team’s last series against Bangladesh. He earned the Player of the Match award in the second Test in Mirpur, where the Black Caps secured a four-wicket win.
Tom Blundell and Kyle Jamieson, who are currently dealing with injuries, have been included in the squad. However, Henry Nicholls and the spin duo of Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi, who played in the red-ball series against Bangladesh, have been excluded from the team.
Uncapped player Will O’Rourke has been included in the squad for the second Test. Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitch Santner retained his spot in the squad due to his noteworthy performances with both the ball and the bat during the previous series in Bangladesh.
The Proteas Are A Highly Competitive Team – Gary Stead
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead emphasized that they won’t underestimate the visiting South African side, despite the absence of some key players. Stead noted that New Zealand has never won a Test series against them at home or away.
“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.
Rachin Ravindra Has Really Impressed Us – Gary Stead
Gary Stead highlighted Will O’Rourke’s impressive transition from domestic cricket to the international level. Stead also praised Rachin Ravindra’s contributions over the past year in international cricket.
“Will O’Rourke has impressed us in stepping up from domestic cricket to New Zealand A and then international level. Rachin Ravindra is another player who has really impressed us with his contributions to the team over the past 12 months in international cricket. We’ve been particularly pleased with his ability to adapt and learn in different roles.”
New Zealand squad: Tim Southee, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke (second Test only), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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