New Zealand announced their Test, ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming tour of the UAE where they will rub shoulders with Pakistan.
There is one notable name in the Kiwi’s 15-man squad for the three-match Test series with Domestic Player of the Year Ajaz Patel being given his maiden call-up.
The Mumbai-born left-arm spinner has been named in the squad as Mitchell Santner continues to be sidelined with injury. Patel picked up 49 wickets in just nine matches for the Central Stags last season in their march to the Plunket Shield title.
“Ajaz has deserved his inclusion on the sheer weight of his domestic first-class form over the past couple of summers. With Mitch Santner not fully recovered yet from his knee surgery, it’s nice to have both wrist and finger spin options, given the likely conditions in the UAE,” New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said about the spinner’s inclusion.
Patel impressed for the Central Stags last season.
Pace spearhead Trent Boult has been given a rest in the T20 format while BJ Watling has been given a recall in the ODI squad.
The Blackcaps have named only 13 members each in their T20 and ODI squads with the remaining two names to be filled after taking into consideration New Zealand A’s shadow tour of the UAE.
The Kane Williamson-led Kiwis are set to play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is in their tour which gets underway in October this year. The schedule for the matches is yet to be released.
NEW ZEALAND SQUADS
Tests: Kane Williamson (C), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.
ODIs: Kane Williamson (C), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling.
T20Is: Kane Williamson (C), Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
