Opening batter Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in a three-match Test series against India, which is set to start on October 16 in Bengaluru. The series opener is scheduled to take place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and the next two matches will be played at MCA Stadium in Pune (October 24-28) and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1-5.
After Tim Southee stepped down as New Zealand’s captain following the Kiwis 0-2 defeat in a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka last month, the India tour will be Latham’s first series as a full-time captain of New Zealand’s Test side. The left-handed batter has previously served as New Zealand’s captain in nine Tests from 2020 to 2022, but at that time he was not the full-time captain.
In the 17-member squad picked up for the India tour, uncapped Mark Chapman has been included as cover for Kane Williamson, who is all set to miss the start of the series due to a groin strain. Williamson’s absence will be a big setback for the Kiwis, but they are hopeful about his participation in the series at some point.
Chapman is a regular member of New Zealand’s white-ball teams but is yet to play a red-ball match for the 2021 World Test Championship winners.
Allrounder Michael Bracewell will travel with the squad for the first Test in Bengaluru before returning home for the birth of his second child and will be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the remainder of the series.
Ajaz Patel, who dismissed all 10 Indian batters in an innings during the last Test tour in 2021, will lead the spin attack and has the all-round trio of Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra for support.
Devon Conway, Will Young, and Daryl Mitchell will be the key batters for New Zealand, along with captain Latham, and former skipper Southee will lead the pace attack that also includes Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke.
ICYMI | Our Test squad for the upcoming three-Test series against India, starting in Bengaluru next Wednesday. Watch all matches LIVE on @skysportnz #INDvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/TzvMIpZSrH— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 8, 2024
New Zealand’s squad for Test series against India: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman (cover), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd & 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Comments
0 comment