The forthcoming three-match Test series featuring New Zealand against England will get begin on June 2, and the Kiwis have named their 15-man team for the series. Michael Bracewell was unexpectedly added to the team and will play the role of the 16th member in the first test series, which will begin on Thursday at Iconic Lord’s Arena. Henry Nicholls is still rehabilitating from the injury he sustained to his right calf, therefore Bracewell has been brought in as a standby for him.
The New Zealand Cricket team was officially declared to consist of 20 players; however, several of those players, including Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, Rachin Ravindra, and Hamish Rutherford, have since been dropped from the team. Additionally, Ajaz Patel has been selected to be a part of the final 15-man team. Notable is the fact that Ajaz collected 10 wickets versus India as the Blackcaps were playing their final away Test at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Earlier, the NZC made the announcement of the final team through the official Twitter:
Squad News | The 15-man squad to face @englandcricket in the upcoming three-Test series, with the addition of @cricketwgtninc all-rounder Michael Bracewell as 16th man for the first Test starting at the @HomeOfCricket in London on Thursday 🏏
READ MORE | https://t.co/mTC60LJ3Y9 pic.twitter.com/Zh8u9wObfE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) May 30, 2022
Due to the fact that Trent Boult has not yet arrived in London, it is quite improbable that he would participate in the first Test. In the Indian Premier League 2022 championship match that was held in Ahmedabad on May 29, 2022, he was a member of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) team that competed against the Gujarat Titans. On the other side, Daryl Mitchell became a member of the squad on Monday after being dropped by Rajasthan Royals prior to the IPL final.
On the present World Test Championship (WTC) standings, it is noteworthy that New Zealand is in the 6th position, whereas England is battling in the 9th position. Because of this, the next series is going to be very important for both sides in terms of improving their standing in the WTC.
After drawing their first practice match against Sussex, the New Zealand national cricket team went on to lose their 2nd practice match against the County Select XI by 7 wickets. Kane Williamson, the captain of the team, returned to the group earlier this week, just after the birth of his baby.
New Zealand Test squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Cam Fletcher (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Neil Wagner, Michael Bracewell.
