Last Update on: November 7th, 2023 at 09:00 am
New Zealand, on Monday (November 6), announced their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The series will be a part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship and will take place right after the conclusion of the World Cup.
The highlight of the squad is the inclusion of Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner. Ravindra has been one of the best performers in the World Cup and has already hit a record three centuries in the competition. The left-handed batsman has shown remarkable composure in Indian conditions and will be fancying his chances to do well in Bangladesh as well.
He has not played a Test since the home assignment against Bangladesh in January last year. On the other hand, Santner has not played a red-ball game for the Black Caps since 2021. The left-arm spinner, who had fallen down the pecking order in Tests, earned the recall after doing well in the Plunkett Shield where he picked up 15 wickets.
New Zealand squad for Bangladesh Tests:
Mitchell Santner is one of the three specialist spinners in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming series. The other two specialist spinners are Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi. They also have handy spin options in Ravindra and Glenn Phillips.
“We’ve selected a squad we think can compete and succeed in Bangladesh,” selector Sam Wells said. “With Ajaz, Ish, Mitch, Glenn and Rachin, we have a strong spin group that will offer good variety and options during the series.
Mitch had a strong back half of the Plunket Shield campaign last summer and has made good strides in his red-ball bowling. He brings a wealth of experience in sub-continent conditions and adds depth to the batting line-up as a genuine allrounder.
“Rachin brings a left-arm orthodox option and has improved considerably over the past 18 months with the ball – and his performances with the bat at the World Cup speak for themselves. It’s great to be able to call upon the services of Kyle again after a period out of the team and he will bring a different dimension to the pace group,” he added.
In the pace department, captain Tim Southee will have the company of Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. Trent Boult, who is currently playing in the World Cup, has made himself unavailable for the tour. In another development, regular head coach Gary Stead won’t accompany the team to Bangladesh.
While he will return home after the World Cup to prepare for a busy summer, former New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi will don the coach’s hat. Ronchi will have the company of Jacob Oram (pace bowling coach), Saqlain Mushtaq (spin bowling coach) and Daniel Flynn (batting coach) in the backroom staff.
New Zealand Squad:
Tim Southee (c), Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Will Young
