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Wellington, August 12 (HS). New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee may be left out of some of the team's upcoming matches in the subcontinent. Southee will lead a 15-member team for the only Test against Afghanistan and two matches against Sri Lanka, which includes five spin bowling options.
According to ESPNcricinfo, both matches will be played in Galle, but it is not certain whether he will play in all these matches or the three Test matches against India.
If Southee, who took only six wickets in four home Tests last season, is not part of the XI, vice-captain Tom Latham will captain the side.
Head coach Gary Stead said, “The nature of the pitches on the subcontinent Test tour and the heat and humidity can lead to some tough questions being asked of the fast bowlers. While we are considering the conditions with an open mind, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be required in different Test matches. Tim and I have discussed this, and the workload of the fast bowlers during these overseas tours needs to be balanced, including himself, to best serve the team.”
The squad announced on Monday does not include the series with India in October and November, but it is likely that a very similar group of players will be included. There was some doubt over whether Kane Williamson would play the Afghanistan Test, which will be held in Greater Noida, but he has been included for the first time the two teams will play each other in this format.
Off-spin allrounder Michael Bracewell is returning to the Test squad after 18 months. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner have also been included, while Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips could play important roles with the ball.
Apart from Southee, Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke are also fast bowling options. The latter two impressed on their Test debuts last season, while Henry had a stellar season against Australia, taking 17 wickets in two matches. Kyle Jamieson was not considered as he is recovering from a back stress fracture.
Stead said, “It is always great when young players make it into the team on the basis of their performance and I know Will and Ben are eagerly looking forward to the challenges of Test cricket in the subcontinent. Michael had to show a lot of resilience to recover from his injuries and return to the Blackcaps in all three formats. His all-round skills and ability to take the ball away from the left-hander make him a great player, especially on turning wickets in India and Sri Lanka.”
Saqlain Mushtaq will join New Zealand as bowling coach for the three Tests, while former England wicketkeeper James Foster will return as assistant coach.
The Afghanistan Tests, which are not part of the World Test Championship, will take place from September 9-13 and the Sri Lanka matches will be held from September 18-22 and September 26-30.
New Zealand will play nine Tests from September to December, with a home series against England starting in late November. They are currently third in the WTC and will look to reach the final at Lord's next June.
New Zealand's Test team to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is as follows-
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.