New Zealand announce 20-man squad for England tour, ICC WTC Final

New Zealand Cricket Board has announced a 20-member squad for their upcoming Test tour of England. This also includes the ICC World Test Championship final against India. Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy get their first Test call. Devon Conway, who has impressed in the ODIs and T20Is against Australia and Bangladesh, is also received in the team.

Devon Conway scored a century and a couple of scores in the 90s as well. The left-handed batsman was called up as Kane Williamson’s replacement in December 2020 during the Kiwis’ home Tests, but he couldn’t make the cut. Regarding Ravindra and Duffy, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was thrilled to see the duo in the scheme of things.

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Doug Bracewell, who featured in his last Test in 2016, has also been included in the team. Lockie Ferguson was not included in the squad as the selectors want to preserve him for the T20 World Cup. The seamer is set to play for KKR in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), starting April 9. The team is going to be cut down to 15 for the WTC final. The most awaited event of the year is scheduled to take place in June following the two matches against England.

Colin de Grandhomme has also been listed in the 20-member squad. But he will need to pass a mandatory fitness Test at a pre-tour camp in May. Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, and Mitchell Santner have headed to India for the IPL. Their availability for the England Tests will hinge on the performance of their respective IPL franchises. Qualifying for the IPL playoffs may force the cricketers to miss the first Test of the England series.

The New Zealand tour of England starts May 25 with a practice match. It will then be followed by two Tests at the Lord’s and Edgbaston. The ICC World Test Championship final is scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton from June 18.

New Zealand squad

Kane Williamson (C), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Devon Conway, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young.

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