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Scott Kuggeleijn and Daryl Mitchell are back in the New Zealand side for the test series against Australia.
Kuggeleijn last played for the test side, in his only test, against England last summer. Mitchell played the first test against South Africa but was out of the second test with a foot injury needing some care.
Tim Southee and Kane Williamson will also potentially bring up their 100 test matches during the series. They will join Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, and Ross Taylor in the 100 Test match club at Hagley Oval in the second test.
Southee will follow Ross Taylor, Virat Kohli and David Warner as just the fourth player in history to have played 100 matches in each format.
Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead stated on Williamson and Southee’s 100 Tests:
“To play 100 Tests for your country is an incredible achievement,”
“It takes a huge amount of longevity and skill, and to keep improving and to manage the demands of Test cricket over a long period of time is a testament to their character.”
“Tim and Kane continue to be brilliant servants of the game in New Zealand and influential figures in the Blackcaps environment.“
“Their achievements at Test level speak for themselves and they are undoubtedly two of the greatest players to have ever worn the New Zealand Test shirt.”
Selector Sam Wells said Kuggeleijn’s performances for New Zealand A warranted his place in the side.
“Scott performed admirably with both bat and ball on the recent New Zealand A tour to Australia,” said Wells.
“He will bring genuine pace with the ball and adds extra depth with the bat which is always valuable at Test level.
Wells welcomed the return of Daryl Mitchell to the squad and said the Canterbury batsman’s foot was healing well.
“Everything is tracking well with Daryl.
“The decision to give him a period of rehabilitation was necessary and will allow him to be at his best for what is an important series for the team.
“He’s a key member of the group and has proven, with his performances over the past 12 to 18 months, how much value he adds to the Test team.
“Daryl will keep focusing on his rehabilitation over the next week and will be fit and ready for the first Test in Wellington.
Will O’Rourke retains his place in the side following his terrific test debut and Mitchell Santner is the main spin option in the side.
Trent Boult will not feature in the Test side as he has played minimal red-ball cricket recently. Michael Bracewell was also not considered for selection as he is recovering from a finger injury.
Trent Boult, who will feature in the KFC T20I series against Australia, was not considered for Test selection due to minimal recent red ball cricket – his last Test coming in June 2022 against England in Leeds.
Michael Bracewell was not considered for selection as he continues to recover from a finger injury.
BLACKCAPS v Australia Tegel Test series squad:
Tim Southee (c) (Northern Districts)
Tom Blundell (wk) (Wellington)Devon Conway (Wellington)
Matt Henry (Canterbury)
Scott Kuggeleijn (Northern Districts)
Tom Latham (Canterbury)
Daryl Mitchell (Canterbury)
Will O’Rourke (Canterbury)
Glenn Phillips (Otago)
Rachin Ravindra (Wellington)
Mitchell Santner (Northern Districts)
Neil Wagner (Northern Districts)
Kane Williamson (Northern Districts)
Will Young (Central Districts)
Australia Test squad
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc
Series overview
1st Tegel Test – 29 February-4 March – Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
2nd Tegel Test – 8-12 March – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
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