New Zealand Test squad for Afghanistan, Sri Lanka series announced

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday, August 12, has unveiled a formidable squad for their upcoming Test assignments in Sri Lanka and India. The New Zealand cricket team is scheduled to play a one-off Test against Afghanistan and a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

These two matches on the Sri Lanka tour are part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) picked the almost same team that suffered a 2-0 loss to Australia earlier this year at home for the upcoming away test assignments.

New Zealand Cricket announces squad for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Tests

The Tim Southee-led New Zealand squad featured prominent figures like the former skipper Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra. Southee will lead the strong Kiwi pace attack featuring Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke in Sri Lanka and India.

Given the sub-continental conditions, which heavily assist the spinner, New Zealand selectors named a strong spin attack for the upcoming Test matches. New Zealand’s spin department will be spearheaded by Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Michael Bracewell, with Phillips and Ravindra also providing valuable spin options for the away tests.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand head coach has hinted that fast bowlers might not be utilized in every game, considering the spin factor. The Kiwis are set to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Noida, India, starting September 9.

Players are looking forward to test their skills in the sub-continent: Gary Stead

They will then head to Sri Lanka for two crucial WTC 2023-24 matches, which will be beginning on September 18 and 26, respectively. Stead was quoted as saying by ICC: “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."

These games are crucial for New Zealand's bid to secure a spot in next year's WTC Final, as they currently sit third in the standings, trailing India and Australia. Notably, after the Sri Lanka tour, New Zealand will tour India for a three-match series in October and November, followed by a home Test series against England at the end of the year.

Stead signed off by saying, “We know how important the points in Sri Lanka will be to our chances of pushing for a finals spot in England next year. We managed one win from the two Test series in challenging conditions in Bangladesh last December and are keen to build on that. The whole squad is looking forward to test their skills in the longest form of the game in the sub-continent.”

Here’s the New Zealand squad for the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Tests:

Tim Southee (C), Tom Latham (VC), Tom Blundell (WK), Kane Williamson, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Will Young.

Here’s the schedule for New Zealand’s upcoming Test matches:

September 9-13: One-Off Test against Afghanistan, Noida, India

September 18-22: First Test against Sri Lanka, Galle International Stadium

September 26-30: Second Test against Sri Lanka, Galle International Stadium