New Zealand have named a 14-man squad for the two-Test series against India, bringing back fast bowler Jacob Duffy under captain Tom Latham. Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell are included despite injury concerns, with the first Test due to start in Wellington on 19 November.
Wellington, New Zealand: The Black Caps have gone for continuity, with one proven seamer returning to the group and three batters picked while still working their way back to full fitness. New Zealand Cricket named the squad on 10 November, with coach Rob Walter calling the series the start of an exciting summer of Test cricket for the team.
Duffy back in a settled group
Jacob Duffy returns to the Test side after missing the tour of England while he took time away for the birth of his first child. He joins Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner and Nathan Smith in the pace group, with Mitchell Santner the spin option and Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls and Will Young in the middle order. Tom Latham captains the side.
Three bowlers are unavailable. Ben Sears is recovering from an ankle injury, Zak Foulkes has a hip problem and Will O’Rourke is on a return-to-play programme. BJ Watling has also been appointed as the team’s batting coach.
Three players carrying doubts
The selectors have backed Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell even though each has a fitness concern. Conway is recovering from concussion, Ravindra has a shoulder problem and Blundell, the wicketkeeper, is managing a quadriceps injury. All three are aiming to be available for the opening Test, and their places will depend on fitness assessments. Ravindra had already been ruled out of the one-day series against India.
India await at the Basin Reserve
The first Test begins at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 19 November, and the second starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 27 November. It is the first Test series between the sides since New Zealand’s 3-0 win in India in 2024.
India are already in the country. Shubman Gill leads a 16-man Test squad, and the senior players arrive in Wellington after a rain-ruined third unofficial Test gave them little match practice. Rain also forced the third ODI in Hamilton to be abandoned.
The full New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, 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.
