New Zealand names strong 15-player squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Tuesday, 13 August 2024 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand has unveiled a strong 15-player squad for their upcoming Test matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next month.

The squad includes a balanced mix of spin and pace bowlers, with five spinners selected to tackle the challenging sub-continental conditions.

The core of the squad remains similar to the one that faced Australia earlier this year, where New Zealand suffered a 2-0 defeat at home. Veteran fast bowler Tim Southee will once again lead the team, which features key players like Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and the experienced Kane Williamson.

Supporting Southee in the pace attack are Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke. New Zealand’s spin options are bolstered by Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Michael Bracewell, with Phillips and Ravindra available as part-time spinners.

With spin expected to play a crucial role in the sub-continent, New Zealand Coach Gary Stead hinted that Southee and the other fast bowlers may not feature in every match, depending on the conditions.

New Zealand’s tour begins with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida, India, starting on 9 September. They will then travel to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches, scheduled for 18 and 26 September in Galle. However the dates for the Sri Lanka matches are likely to change as the Presidential elections are scheduled for 21 September which is in the middle of the first Test.

These matches are crucial for New Zealand as they aim to secure a spot in next year’s World Test Championship final. The Kiwis currently sit in third place in the standings, behind India and Australia.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Tim Southee (Captain), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (Vice-Captain), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young