Wellington, 11 November (H.S.): New Zealand have announced their squad for the two-match Test series against India, beginning November 19. The 14-member squad features the return of Jacob Duffy, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Tom Blundell, with Tom Latham appointed captain.

Ravindra, Conway and Blundell had missed New Zealand’s limited-overs series against India because of injuries and health-related concerns. Although all three have been named in the Test squad, they are still recovering and aiming to be fit for the opening match.

Ravindra sustained a right shoulder injury during a promotional event ahead of the T20 International series against India. His shoulder was dislocated, ruling him out of both the ODI and T20I series.

Meanwhile, Conway was recovering from a concussion sustained before the opening ODI, while Blundell had been troubled by a quadriceps injury.

New Zealand have left out Ben Sears, Zak Foulkes and Will O’Rourke from the squad that defeated England 2-1 in a Test series earlier this year. Sears is recovering from an ankle injury, Foulkes is dealing with a hip injury, while O’Rourke is undergoing a return-to-play programme. Kane Williamson is also absent from the squad after retiring from international cricket midway through the previous Test series against England.

Fast bowler Jacob Duffy has also returned to the side, which will be led by Latham. The series against India will additionally mark the beginning of the tenure of New Zealand’s newly appointed batting coach, BJ Watling, who will take charge on November 16.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said, “This series marks the start of an exciting summer of Test cricket for the BLACKCAPS. The squad is largely consistent with the team that competed in England earlier this year, so it will be great to be back together and try to replicate some of that success on home soil.”

He added, “There are 10 Test matches scheduled between now and March, so there will be no shortage of action for red-ball cricket fans. Valuable World Test Championship points are at stake, of course, but our focus remains on playing our best cricket against a high-quality team like India.”

New Zealand are currently at the top of the World Test Championship standings, according to the source material. Following the two-Test series against India, the Black Caps will travel to Australia for a four-match Test series in December-January. They will then host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in February.

New Zealand Squad for India Test Series

Tom Latham (Captain), Tom Blundell (Wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner and Will Young.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar