New Zealand is due to tour England next month in a two match series and some surprising names have appeared in the list.
After an extremely successful display in the recent Cricket World Cup that clearly demonstrated his return to form, Martin Guptill has found himself back in the Blackcaps test squad. This will be his first appearance since 2013 when England toured to New Zealand on the corresponding tour.
While coach and selector Mike Hesson has stated that the current test team is both “stable [and] established”, he has made it clear that because Guptill is able to cover multiple batting positions, he will be given the chance to promote himself in the two warm-up games before the opening test.
Guptill has had a tough time of late proving his form in both the long format and the limited overs game and while he stepped up for his team during the World Cup, test cricket and ODI cricket are very different from one another. While having not played a single test since 2013 will count against him as his attempts to work his way back into the test squad, the Blackcaps will receive a noticeable boost if he is able to perform.
It is no secret that the Kiwis are struggling to find a solid opening partnership, or should I rather say, an opening partner for youngster Tom Latham. Peter Fulton has been sacked from the job due to his age but his younger replacement, Hamish Rutherford, has shown little to ease the minds of many. If Guptill can return to the form we know he is capable of, New Zealand might finally be able to field that reliable opening partnership to build their test squad under.
Matt Henry, who was drafted into the ODI squad during the World Cup in the semi-final round to cover for the injured Adam Milne, used this opportunity to show maturity and a clever skill-set that impressed selectors and coaching staff alike, enough to warrant a test call-up. Granted, he was selected because of James Neesham being unavailable due to injury but I genuinely believe this is a good choice for the Kiwis.
Due to expected conditions in England during the months of May and June, Mark Craig has been selected as the sole specialist spinner with Kane Williamson available for the part-time job. Craig has yet to win over everybody due to his inconsistent strike bowling but he will need to prove his worth considering the options for additional test spin bowlers are extremely limited at the moment.
Due to IPL commitments, BJ Watling will step into the captain’s role for the warm-up games (games that will be played against Somerset and Worcester). Newbies Jacob Duffy, Ben Wheeler and all-rounder Mitchell Santner will all be given the chance to pull on the black jersey and make a name for themselves.
Santner will be the only uncapped player selected for the Blackcaps ODI and T20 squads. The 23 year-old, in the most recent Ford Trophy competition in New Zealand’s domestic cricket season, averaged 36.22 with the bat and managed to pick up 11 wickets with his orthodox left-arm spin. Santner will surely be expected to fill the role a player like Neesham would in the middle of the order, with bat and ball.
Blackcaps Test Squad
Brendon McCullum (c)
Corey Anderson
Trent Boult
Doug Bracewell
Mark Craig
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Luke Ronchi
Hamish Rutherford
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Neil Wagner
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
Blackcaps ODI and T20 Squad
Brendon McCullum (c)
Corey Anderson
Trent Boult
Grant Elliott
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Mitchell McClenaghan
Nathan McCullum
Adam Milne
Luke Ronchi
Mitchell Santner
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Kane Williamson
Blackcaps schedule
v Somerset, Taunton Vale, May 8-11
v Worcester, New Road, May 14-17
v ENGLAND, First Test, Lord’s, May 21-25
v ENGLAND, Second Test, Headingly, May 29-June 2
v Leicester, Grace Road, June 6
v ENGLAND, First ODI, Edgbaston, June 9
v ENGLAND, Second ODI, Kia Oval, June 12
v ENGLAND, Third ODI, Rose Bowl, June 14
v ENGLAND, Fourth ODI, Trent Bridge, June 17
v ENGLAND, Fifth ODI, Riverside, June 20
v ENGLAND, T20I, Old Trafford, June 23
