New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday, December 15, announced a 14-man squad for the upcoming third and final Test match against West Indies. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has been recalled to the squad, while wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell has been included in the squad after returning from a hamstring injury.
Fast bowler Blair Tickner has been ruled out of the opening day of the second Test due to a dislocated shoulder. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Haye, who stepped in during Blundell’s absence and impressed with a half-century on debut, has been left out of the squad and will return to domestic cricket with Canterbury.
Ajaz Patel is someone we can trust to come in and get the job done – Rob Walter
Ajaz Patel has returned to the New Zealand Test team. He took 11 wickets in his last Test match at Wankhede and played a key role in the historic 3-0 series win. The upcoming Test could be Patel’s first Test on home soil after 2020.
Head coach Rob Walter supported Patel’s inclusion, saying that the Bay Oval surface could produce more turn than most pitches in New Zealand. He said Patel’s ability to swing the ball away from right-handed batsmen adds variety to the attack for the final Test.
Rob Walter said, “Ijaz is someone we can rely on to come in and do the job when needed. The Bay Oval, as we know, generally gets more turn than other New Zealand surfaces and the fact that he turns the ball away from the right-handed batsman is very attractive.”
“Having another spinner in the third Test will add a bit more variation to our bowling attack, as well as our fast bowlers who have been doing a fantastic job so far in this series.”
Tom Blundell has recovered very well from hamstring injury – Rob Walter
Tom Blundell has rejoined New Zealand’s Test squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. The wicketkeeper was sidelined after picking up the issue in the opening Test, but is now fit to return for the final game.
Rob Walter welcomed Blundell’s return. The head coach said that Blundell’s presence adds stability and confidence to the group ahead of the match.
“Tom has made a very good recovery from his hamstring injury and we are grateful to have a player of his caliber back in the squad,” Walter said.
“His experience is invaluable, even more so because we have some guys in the team who are relatively new to Test cricket – he’s a leader in the group and we’re very happy to see him back.”
New Zealand team for the third test against West Indies
New Zealand has retained fast bowlers Michael Roy, Jack Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Christian Clarke in the team. Kyle Jamieson has recently returned to first-class cricket after recovering from injury.
The team management said Jamieson is making good progress and they are carefully managing his workload ahead of a possible full Test return.
Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Christian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Jack Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rai, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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