Auckland, July 8 (H.S.): The New Zealand cricket board announced the squad for the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, starting July 30 in Bulawayo. Fast bowler Matt Fisher makes his debut selection. The pace attack also includes Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke, and Jacob Duffy. Ben Sears is out due to a side injury, needing two to four weeks for recovery.

Key players like captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, and Michael Bracewell are unavailable; Jamieson is awaiting his first child's birth, Williamson is managing his playing schedule, and Bracewell is participating in 'The Hundred' tournament. Spinner Ajaz Patel returns to the team, while batter Henry Nicholls is included again since 2023. The matches won’t count towards the World Test Championship.

New Zealand Test team: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith and Will Young.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar