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The Blackcaps test squad to face South Africa has been announced with one potential debutant in the side.
Will O’Rourke has earned maiden selection in the side for the second test match and will replace one player from the side playing at Tauranga’s Bay Oval.
Rachin Ravindra is also potentially playing his first test since 2022, the infamous loss against Bangladesh as he has been brought into the side to replace Henry Nicholls and bat in the middle order.
Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner retain their position in the side with Phillips in line to play his first test at home and Santner in line to play his first test in New Zealand since 2020.
Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi and Nicholls are the three players who drop out from the Bangladesh tour as spin bowling is not a prominent factor on New Zealand pitches.
On the squad and the tour, Stead said:
“It’s an honour to be involved in any Test match and I know the players are looking forward to the start of a big Test summer - in what is a big year of Test cricket home and away.
“The Proteas are a highly competitive team across formats and, having never won a Test series against them home or away, we expect two stern challenges.”
“Tom Blundell, Kyle Jamieson, and Kane Williamson are all at slightly different points in their rehabilitation plans” Stead stated. Jamieson returned to playing today in the Dream 11 Super Smash Elimination Final for Canterbury, taking 1/31 from his four overs.
Stead is confident they will be available for the test at Bay Oval.
Blackcaps Tegel Test Series Squad
Tim Southee (C)
Tom Blundell (WK)
Devon Conway
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Tom Latham
Daryl Mitchell
Will O’Rourke* (Second Test only)
Glenn Phillips
Rachin Ravindra
Mitch Santner
Neil Wagner
Kane Williamson
Will Young
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