Kane Williamson returns as New Zealand announce squad for 1st Test against West Indies

Kane Williamson returns as New Zealand announce squad for 1st Test against West Indies

New Delhi: Kane Williamson returned in New Zealand's squad for the first Test against the West Indies at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Pace bowling trio of Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes and Blair Tickner have also been included in the 14-member squad for the first Test.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell has also been named in the squad, who has recovered from a minor groin injury, which he suffered against West Indies in the first ODI. Williamson has not played a Test match for New Zealand since December 2024. He also opted out of the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in August this year.

The star batter will also play in the second round of the Plunkett Shield for the Northern Districts to prepare for the Test series. Pacer Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes made their Test debuts together against Zimbabwe. Foulkes picked up nine wickets in the second Test, which was the best match figures by a New Zealander on Test debut (9/75). Meanwhile, Tickner also returns to the Test team for the first time since March 2023.

Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips are still recovering from their respective injuries and weren't considered for selection. The duo continue to build their match fitness as part of a controlled red-ball return-to-play plan. Matt Fisher (shin), Will O'Rourke (back), and Ben Sears (hamstring) are still recovering from their respective injuries.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter welcomed back star batter Kane Williamson to the squad, saying that his ability on the field speaks for itself, and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test team.

Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.