Neil Wagner Doubtful For First India Test, New Zealand Call-up Matt Henry As Cover

New Zealand could miss the services of their star pacer Neil Wagner in the first match of the upcoming two-match Test series against India. The Black Caps will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the longest format of the game after being whitewashed by Australia in their last Test assignment which was a three-match series.

The upcoming series is going to be a challenging one with India on a roll in Tests. The Virat Kohli-led side has won all of its seven Tests in the Test Championship so far and are comfortably placed at the top of the points table with 360 points. On the other hand, New Zealand are rooted at the sixth spot with just 60 points. A series loss against India will all but end the Kiwis’ hopes of progressing in the final of the Test Championship.

The hosts have the momentum with them after beating the visitors in the ODI series. After being whitewashed in the five-match T20I series, New Zealand bounced back to win the ODIs 3-0. They will be looking to make the most of the momentum in the Tests.

However, they might miss Neil Wagner for the first Test, starting on Friday. The left-arm pacer and his wife are awaiting the birth of their first child and thus he is doubtful for the big clash in Wellington. The Black Caps confirmed on Wednesday that Henry had been called up as cover for Neil Wagner.

“Matt Henry has been called into the Black Caps Test squad as cover for Neil Wagner who is awaiting the birth of his child,” they wrote on Twitter. “Henry will arrive in Wellington this evening. #NZvIND.”

Matt Henry has been called into the BLACKCAPS Test squad as cover for Neil Wagner who is awaiting the birth of his child. Henry will arrive in Wellington this evening. #NZvIND

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 19, 2020

New Zealand squad:

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