New Zealand have named a near full-strength 14-man squad for the two-Test series against India, with Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell all included despite their injuries. Captain Tom Latham will lead the side into the first Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19, with the second Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27.
The fitness of the injured trio is the big talking point of the selection. Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot in September, an injury that kept him out of the T20I series and the ongoing ODI series against India. Conway suffered a concussion in a collision with paceman Matt Henry during a training session in Auckland on the eve of the first ODI, while Blundell is recovering from a quadriceps injury. All three are working through their respective injuries and aiming to be available for the first Test. If Blundell plays the Wellington opener, he will bring up his 50th Test in Christchurch.
Fast bowler Jacob Duffy is the one new face in the squad. Duffy missed the tour of England earlier this year while on paternity leave and returns to the Test setup for this home series. The squad otherwise has a similar look to the side that toured England in June, which New Zealand won 2-1. The exceptions are Ben Sears, out with an ankle injury, Zak Foulkes, out with a hip injury, and Will O’Rourke, who is on a return-to-play programme.
The series will also begin a new era in the New Zealand coaching group. BJ Watling will join the squad as the new batting coach on November 16, replacing the outgoing Luke Ronchi, and will work alongside head coach Rob Walter and bowling coach Jacob Oram.
Matt Henry, who was involved in the training-ground collision that concussed Conway, is also in the squad and will lead the pace attack alongside Kyle Jamieson, with Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner providing support. Mitchell Santner is the frontline spin option, with Glenn Phillips offering a part-time alternative. Both Tests count towards the World Test Championship, in a series New Zealand will want to win at home after their famous triumph in India two years ago.
The two Tests are New Zealand’s first red-ball assignment against India since their remarkable 3-0 sweep on Indian soil in 2024, the first time a visiting team had whitewashed India in a Test series at home. India, meanwhile, have already moved their Test specialists into a camp in Wellington, with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and the rest of the red-ball group preparing for the series, and Rishabh Pant’s fitness clearance expected on November 12.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
Related:
Rishabh Pant on Course for New Zealand Tests as Fitness Clearance Expected on November 12
