Kane Williamson returns for England Tests; Nathan Smith earns maiden call-up

After a string of injuries, Kane Williamson finally returns to New Zealand’s red-ball setup for the three-match Test series against England, starting November 28. Williamson was expected to take part in the three-match series against India but his recovery wasn’t sufficient enough to make a return. 

However, in his absence, Will Young stepped up as the Blackcaps registered a historic whitewash in India against India, winning the series 3-0. Williamson will replace Mark Chapman in the squad. Apart from that, New Zealand have also called up Nathan Smith, a talent buzzing around the local cricketing circles for the first time in Test cricket.

The 26-year-old has been the standout bowler for Wellington in the Plunket Shield with 33 wickets at 17 apiece. Mitchell Santner will be the frontline spinner for the Blackcaps for the second and third Test. It will also be the last Test series for Southee, who is New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker in the red-ball format, with 385 wickets. 

The first of the three-match Test series will begin on November 28 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

New Zealand Test Squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (2nd & 3rd Tests), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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