Daryl Mitchell is back on the field before the ‘expected time’ cutting through foot injury. Despite not having played against Australia in the past, he returns through this series. Along with him, New Zealand’s team welcomes back pacer Scott Kuggeleijn.
Queensland has announced a squad of 14 for the two Tests against Australia at home. With Jameson sidelined due to a back injury for almost a year, Kuggeleijn has found an opportunity. Mitchell has been playing consistently despite foot injury over the last 6-7 months, occasionally resting in one or two matches, but the injury hasn’t been serious.
After playing the first Test in the recently concluded South Africa series, this 32-year-old cricketer was rested for the second Test, indicating that Mitchell will not only be considered for the Test series against Australia but will also be given ample rest to fully recover. However, he was quickly brought back until the end.
During the announcement of the Australia series squad, Queensland’s chief selector Sam Wells stated that Mitchell would be ready to play from the first Test itself. He mentioned that Mitchell is an important member of the team and has proved his strength in the Test squad over the past 12 to 18 months through his performances. Daryl will work on his comeback next week and will be fit and ready for the first Test in Wellington.”
Kuggeleijn, who has been impressive with the red ball in recent domestic cricket, has been the top wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield this season so far. In the ongoing season of the first-class tournament, he has claimed 22 wickets in four matches.
The second and final Test of the series promises an exciting showdown from February 19 onwards. New Zealand, having played 100 Test matches as a cricketing nation, will have names like Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, and Ross Taylor on their list. If everything goes well, Saudi Arabia will have its own milestone as well. After Virat Kohli and David Warner, he will be the fourth cricketer to play 100 matches in all three formats.
Before the start of the Test series, New Zealand will play a three-match T20 series against Australia. Two changes have been made to the announced T20 squad due to injury. Due to injury, pacers Matt Henry and wicket-keeper-batsman Tim Seifert have been dropped. As replacements, pacers Ben Sears and batsman Will Young have been called up to the T20 squad. Sears has taken 13 wickets while representing New Zealand in 11 T20Is so far. On the other hand, Young has scored 276 runs at a strike rate of 101.09 in 16 T20Is.
The two teams will play three T20Is on February 21, 23, and 25 respectively. The first Test will begin in Wellington on February 29. The second will start in Christchurch on March 8.
New Zealand Test Squad: Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, William O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Devon Conway.
New Zealand T20I Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (second and third match), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (first match), Will Young.
