Photo Credit: Cricket Wellington
BLACKCAPS pace-bowlers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are set for their first overseas Test experiences, while Michael Bracewell returns to the squad 18 months on from his last Test.
The trio has been included in a 15-strong touring party to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Noida (September 9-13) before heading to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches, starting September 18 and 26, respectively.
The squad features five spin options in left-armers Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, alongside the right-arm off-spin of Bracewell and Glenn Phillips.
Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will form a settled top order with Tom Blundell taking the gloves and Will Young providing the batting cover.
The September campaign begins a busy, four-month long period of cricket for the Test side, with three Tests scheduled in India across October and November, before England arrive in New Zealand for the much anticipated three-Test series to start the international home summer.
The BLACKCAPS currently sit third on the ICC WTC ladder ahead of their final three series.
O’Rourke and Sears announced themselves on the Test scene during the recent home summer and were rewarded with their first national contracts in July.
The 23-year-old O’Rourke claimed 11 wickets in his first two Test outings, including the best match-figures by a New Zealander on Test debut (nine for 93 v South Africa in February) before a groin injury ruled him out of the second Test against Australia.
Sears debuted in that second Test against Australia at Hagley Oval in March, claiming four for 90 in the second innings as the BLACKCAPS pushed within three wickets of a win on day four.
Bracewell returns to the Test squad after missing much of the past 18 months due to a serious achilles injury, which was followed by a broken finger in February.
The spin-bowling all-rounder returned to the BLACKCAPS for the white-ball tour to Pakistan in April and was part of the recent ICC T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies.
Bracewell’s last Test was in March 2023 against Sri Lanka in Wellington, where he claimed five wickets as part of the BLACKCAPS innings victory.
Coach Gary Stead said it was exciting to welcome back Bracewell, as well as include O’Rourke and Sears for their first overseas Test assignments.
“It’s always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance and I know Will and Ben are really looking forward to the challenges of Test cricket in the sub-continent.
“Michael’s had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the BLACKCAPS across all three formats.
“His all-round skills, and ability to take the ball away from the left-hander make him a great asset, especially on what we expect will be turning wickets in India and Sri Lanka.”
Test captain Tim Southee will be joined by his new ball partner Matt Henry who was the ANZ Player of the Series against Australia at the end of the home summer.
Tom Latham continues as vice-captain, with Stead acknowledging the possibility of Southee not playing every Test in Asia.
“Test tours to the sub-continent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the heat and humidity,” he said.
“While we’re going over with an open mind around conditions, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests.
“Tim and I have discussed this, and the need during these overseas tours to balance the work-loads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served.”
Stead said the two ICC WTC matches against Sri Lanka were crucial for the BLACKCAPS, who currently sit third on the ladder, behind last edition’s finalists, Australia and India.
“We know how important the points in Sri Lanka will be to our chances of pushing for a finals spot in England next year.
“We managed one win from the two Test series in challenging conditions in Bangladesh last December and are keen to build on that.
“The whole squad is looking forward to test their skills in the longest form of the game in the sub-continent.”
BLACKCAPS Test squad
Tim Southee (c)
Tom Blundell (wk)
Michael Bracewell
Devon Conway
Matt Henry
Tom Latham (vc)
Daryl Mitchell
Will O’Rourke
Ajaz Patel
Glenn Phillips
Rachin Ravindra
Mitchell Santner
Ben Sears
Kane Williamson
Will Young
Kyle Jamieson wasn’t considered for selection as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury.
Gary Stead will lead the coaching staff alongside batting coach Luke Ronchi.
Former Pakistan player and coach Saqlain Mushtaq rejoins the BLACKCAPS as bowling coach for the three away Tests, while James Foster rejoins as fourth coach having assisted the team at the past two ICC Cricket World Cups.
The BLACKCAPS Test squad departs for India on September 4, with New Zealand-based players attending a camp at Lincoln University this week from August 14-16.
