New Zealand has announced the same 13-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka which made a 1-1 draw against England at home.
New Zealand Squad For Sri Lanka Test
Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi are the only ones to be left out of New Zealand’s squad. Opening batter Devon Conway who was down with groin strain made it to the squad along with Matt Henry who had some tightness in his back.
Kyle Jamieson has not been included in the squad owing to his recurrent back injuries which require surgery. Trent Boult continues to be unavailable after having opted out of the central contract.
“We felt that the 13 that we have here is the right 13 to go forward,” head coach Gary Stead said on Wednesday. “I think when you have a win like that (vs England in Wellington)… your confidence will improve.”
Sri Lanka will play two Tests against New Zealand and need to win both to stay in contention for a place in the WTC final. For things to go their way, they would need Australia to lose 4-0 in India.
New Zealand will play a 3-match T20I series against UAE in August, making a stop in the country on their way to the UK. The matches will be played on August, 17, 19 and 20, with the venues yet to be confirmed.
“It will be only the second time New Zealand has played the UAE in a full international, following the 1996 World Cup ODI between the two sides at Faisalabad, in Pakistan,” NZC said in a release.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said: “In terms of the global cricket family, it’s important we keep helping each other, and growing the game on an international scale.
“NZC has a close relationship with the Emirates Cricket Board and our players are very familiar with the environment. I know the BLACKCAPS will be looking forward to testing themselves against a competitive UAE team.”
Emirates Cricket Board General Secretary Mubashshir Usmani said: “This series will be a massive opportunity for our players, to not only compete against a top team but to also to learn from some of the best players in the world.
“We are fully committed to the growth and development of cricket in the UAE and we are thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support.”
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New Zealand Squad
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young
