New Zealand announces Test squad for Zimbabwe tour; Kane Williamson unavailable

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the 15-man squad for the two-match Zimbabwe Test tour, scheduled to take place from Wednesday, July 30 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Interestingly, the squad will not feature star batter Kane Williamson and all-rounder Michael Bracewell as the duo made themselves unavailable for the two-match Test series, and they will take part in overseas tournaments. 

While Williamson has decided to feature for Middlesex in the County Championship and London Spirit in The Hundred, Bracewell, who is playing for MI New York in MCL, has been roped in by Southern Brave in the same tournament.

New head coach Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead, has announced his first-ever Test squad since taking over the reins. Interestingly, this two-match Test series isn’t part of the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle.

"Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process," said head coach Rob Walter.

"While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz [Patel] and Henry [Nicholls], who are both proven performers at Test level."

Experienced left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and middle-order batter Henry Nicholls will be a part of the 15-man squad. Furthermore, Ben Sears, the seamer, is unavailable due to a side strain, with Kyle Jamieson opting to be in New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Instead, Matt Fisher and Jacob Duffy have been included in the squad.

"Matt's someone we're really excited about. He's one of the fastest bowlers in the country and we think he's got an X-factor. We're blessed to have a large number of strong fast bowlers in this country and we're looking forward to adding Matt into that mix now, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the Black Caps,” he stated.

New Zealand Test squad vs Zimbabwe: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young.

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