Cam Fletcher and Blair Tickner have earned their first Test call-up, while Colin de Grandhomme and Hamish Rutherford have been recalled as part of an expanded New Zealand squad for the first Test against South Africa starting on 17 February at Hagley Oval in Christchurch . The larger-than-normal 15-man squad allows the selectors to better hedge their options while reducing the health risk associated with bringing players into the team environment at short notice, should there be any injuries. That opened up opportunities for Canterbury wicketkeeper Fletcher in form, who will be the backup gloveman to incumbent Tom Blundell, while Central Stags paceman Tickner will provide cover for the fast bowlers.
Seven years after his last appearance for the BLACKCAPS, Otago Volts batsman Hamish Rutherford has earned a recall, as has all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, who missed much of the season last season with a foot injury. Against the backdrop of Kane Williamson’s injured elbow (which did not recover in time) and Ross Taylor’s retirement, Rutherford has been included as batting cover in the expanded squad, which will again be captained by Tom Latham.
Trent Boult will miss the first Test as he awaits the birth of his third child, while Ajaz Patel has a chance to be added for the second Test if conditions suit and provided he overcomes his left calf injury.
Coach Gary Stead acknowledged that this was another challenging squad to select.
“Injuries and COVID have forced us to be flexible and I am very excited about the squad selection. I want to congratulate Cam and Blair on making the squad and also recognize Hamish and Colin for their struggle to return to the test set.” up,” Stead said in an official release.
Stead said the series had unfortunately arrived too early for Williamson, in terms of rehabilitation from his elbow injury.
“He was desperate to be fit for the series but with the amount of charge required for Test cricket we had to make the difficult decision to sit him out and focus on returning for the white ball games against the Netherlands in March Kane loves playing for the BLACKCAPS and especially in test cricket, so it was a very difficult decision. However, the priority should be to try and get the injury right and have him available long term,” Stead said.
“It’s important to remember that this squad is only for the first test, so we have the flexibility to make changes if necessary, with Trent and Ajaz potentially available for the second,” he added.
NZC is currently working on the COVID-19 Health framework to host some fans at the Hagley Oval games, with details to be shared ahead of the first test on February 17. The second game of the test series is scheduled for February 25. at Hagley Oval.
promoted
New Zealand has never beaten South Africa in a test series.
BlackCaps selection for 1st test:Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
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