New Zealand Cricket has decided to go ahead with the same 13 players who featured in the two-Test series against England for their upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka that starts on March 9.
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According to ESPNCricinfo, the team has excluded injured pace-bowling all-rounder Kyle Jamieson, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, and uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy from the squad.
Tim Southee, who led the team to a remarkable victory against England in the second Test, will be leading the squad in the upcoming series. The batting lineup will consist of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Will Young, with Tom Blundell as the wicketkeeper.
Michael Bracewell will be a crucial member of the spin department, and the pace attack will be led by Neil Wagner and Southee, with support from Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, and Scott Kuggeleijn.
The out-of-contract star pacer Trent Boult has once again been left out of the squad, as he is focusing on his franchise T20 league commitments.
Meanwhile, Jamieson, who was initially included in the squad for the England Test but later withdrawn, will undergo back surgery for an injury that has kept him out of action since June 2022.
The two-Test series against Sri Lanka is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, with the Kiwis out of contention for a spot in the final. However, they can spoil Sri Lanka’s chances, who must win both Tests to have a chance at the final, which begins in London on June 7.
The first Test will take place in Christchurch, with the Wellington Test following on from March 17 onwards.
New Zealand Test squad against Sri Lanka:
Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Out: Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (withdrawn from previous series).
Series Schedule: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Schedule for T20, ODI and Test Series
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