New Zealand premier fast bowler, Trent Boult has recovered from a broken hand and he has now been included in the 13-member squad for the two-match Test series against India, as selectors have made a lot of chop and change following the dismal tour of Australia.
Opener Jeet Raval, spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santer and paceman Matt Henry have been excluded from the squad after suffering a 0-3 whitewash in Australia. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has also been included for the first time in the Test since the tour of Sri Lanka last August, while Auckland lanky pacer, Kyle Jamieson has been included in place of the injured Lockie Ferguson.
ALSO READ: India To Play A Day-night Test Against Australia And England
Boult sustained the injury during the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December but is fit for the first Test starting at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday. Talking about him, New Zealand coach, Gary Stead said, “It’s terrific to have Trent back with us and we’re looking forward to the energy and experience he adds to the group alongside his obvious class with the ball in hand.”
Jamieson has earned his place after his consistent performances in the last two ODIs against India. The trusted trio of Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner are likely to form New Zealand’s pace unit but Stead suggested Jamieson can be considered for the Wellington Test.
The coach further added, “Kyle will offer us a point of difference with the bounce he could extract on what is traditionally a good surface in Wellington.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell, who replaced the struggling Raval during the Australia series, is expected to be at the top of the order after scoring a valiant 121 in the Melbourne Test. One-Test all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been included as injury cover after making his debut against England in November.
ALSO READ: ‘Jos Buttler is one of our greatest white-ball cricketers’ – Eoin Morgan
Talking about him, the coach said, “Daryl showed his batting prowess in his Test debut against England in Hamilton and he naturally offers us great versatility with the different roles he can play.”
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (C), Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult,
