ANI
Wellington
New Zealand have named a strong squad for next month’s one-off Test against Afghanistan and two-match series against Sri Lanka.
The majority of the squad is similar to the one that lost 2-0 to Australia on home soil earlier this year, with experienced quick Tim Southee once again named captain of a side that includes the likes of key batters Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, as per ICC.
Southee will receive support from fellow fast bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke, while the Kiwis have included Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell as spin options alongside part-timers Phillips and Ravindra.
With spin expected to play a crucial role during the matches on the sub-continent, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has already raised the prospect of Southee and his fellow fast bowlers not being used in every match.
"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.
"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 workloads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served,” Gary Stead said as quoted by ICC.
The Kiwis will take on Afghanistan in a single Test in Noida (India) from 9 September, before travelling to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches commencing on 18 and 26 September.
Following the two matches in Sri Lanka, New Zealand are scheduled to take on India in a three-match series away from home during October and November before another three-game series at home against England at the end of the year.
SquadcTypeface:> 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.
Test schedulecColor:>
Only Test v Afghanistan, Noida, September 9-13
First Test v Sri Lanka, Galle, September 18-22
Second Test v Sri Lanka, Galle, September 26-30.