New Zealand included promising seamers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears on Monday in their Test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
In an attempt to recover from their disastrous T20 World Cup, New Zealand named talented seamers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears in their Test team for their upcoming matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on Monday. Next month, New Zealand will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida, India. In late September, they will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. This will be the Black Caps’ first cricket match since they were eliminated from the T20 World Cup in June after a shocking loss to Afghanistan in the group stages.
Sears and O’Rourke will play their debut Test matches abroad. When O’Rourke, 23, made his debut against South Africa in February, he claimed nine wickets for 93 runs. Sears, 26, made his debut in March against Australia, taking five wickets in the loss.
Head coach of New Zealand Gary Stead commented, “It’s always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance.”
“I know Will and Ben are really looking forward to the challenges of Test cricket in the sub-continent,” he added in a press release.
Michael Bracewell, an all-r
“Michael’s had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the Black Caps across all three formats,” Stead stated.
Tom Latham and Devon Conway, two seasoned openers, are joined by world-class batsman Kane Williamson in an experienced top order.
Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips are Stead’s five chosen spin options.
After the three Tests in September, New Zealand will have a hectic four months, with three matches against India in October and November and three matches at home against England in December.
ounder, is making his Test squad comeback after fracturing a finger and rupturing his Achilles tendon. He was part of the T20 World Cup team and participated in one-day internationals in Pakistan in April of last year.
New Zealand Test squad: Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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