Wellington, 24 November (Udaipur Kiran)। New Zealand has announced a 14-member squad for the first Test against West Indies, beginning 2 December at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The biggest highlight is the return of Kane Williamson, who missed the July Test series against Zimbabwe and is set to play his first Test since December last year. As part of his preparation, Williamson will also play for Northern Districts in the second round of the Plunket Shield.
Fast bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zack Foulkes and Blair Tickner have also been included. Duffy and Foulkes made their Test debuts against Zimbabwe, where Foulkes delivered an extraordinary performance with match figures of 9/75, the best by any New Zealander on Test debut. Tickner returns to the Test setup for the first time since March 2023.
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been named in the squad after recovering from the groin injury he sustained during the first ODI against West Indies.
Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips are yet to regain full fitness and continue to work under a controlled red-ball return-to-play programme. Matt Fisher, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are also recovering from calf, back and hamstring injuries respectively.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed delight over Williamson’s comeback, saying, “Kane’s ability speaks for itself. His skills and leadership are extremely important for the Test side.”
New Zealand Squad for First Test
Tom Latham (Captain), Tom Blundell (Wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zack Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.