The Kiwi fast bowler Matt Henry has been called into the New Zealand squad ahead of the first Test of the two-match series against India. Henry will join the Test squad as cover for Neil Wagner, who’s awaiting the birth of his first child. Earlier, the team management had chosen Kyle Jamieson, over Mat Henry in the initial 13-man squad for India Test squad.

Henry last featured in the New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney in which he scalped a couple of wickets. Henry had played an instrumental role in New Zealand’s World Cup semi-final win over India last year. He had returned with figures of 3/37 and helped his team to win the match by 18 runs against India at the Old Trafford.

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As the other Kiwi players assembled in Wellington, Wagner remained at home in Tauranga on Tuesday for Friday’s first Test against India. New Zealand are expected to hand Jamieson a debut if Wagner fails to take part in the training session on Thursday morning ahead of the Test match.

However, New Zealand’s bowling attack can be termed lethal with the return of their premium pacer Trent Boult, who was out of action for the past six weeks due to a fracture on his right hand sustained during the Boxing Day Test against Australia. He is ready to challenge India captain Virat Kohli on his return to international cricket.

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Issuing a warning to the Indian batsmen, Boult had said, “That’s personally why I play the game, to get guys like that (Kohli) out and test myself against them, so I can’t wait to get stuck in. But he’s an exceptional player. Everyone knows how great he is.”

New Zealand squad:

Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Matt Henry.