New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a 19-man Test squad for the upcoming overseas tours of Ireland and England. The New Zealand Test squad includes a number of players returning from injury, as well as some first-time call-ups for important red-ball assignments.
New Zealand will take on Ireland in the one-off Test at the Civil Services Cricket Club starting on May 27. The team will then travel to London for a crucial three-match Test series against England starting on June 4 as part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
I was blown away – Dean Foxcroft reacts to New Zealand’s first Test call-up
All-rounder Dean Foxcroft earned his first Test selection after a strong Plunket Shield season and impressive performances during New Zealand’s recent white-ball tour of Bangladesh. Henry Nicholls also returned to the team after scoring 870 runs in 11 innings to help Canterbury win the Plunket Shield title.
Foxcroft expressed his excitement after receiving his first Test call-up for New Zealand. Speaking in an official press release, Foxcroft said that being selected in the national Test team was a dream come true.
“I was stunned,” Foxcroft said. “It’s absolutely surreal and a dream come true. From a young age you dream of playing Test cricket or even joining the Test team – so I’m excited and I can’t wait.”
Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke return to New Zealand Test team after being ruled out due to injury.
Kyle Jamieson is set to play his first Test since suffering a stress fracture in his back in February 2024. The fast bowler holds the New Zealand record for being the fastest to reach 50 Test wickets, having achieved the feat in just nine matches. He has taken 80 wickets in 19 test matches.
Will O’Rourke also returns after missing eight months due to a stress fracture in his back sustained during the Zimbabwe tour. Before the injury, the fast bowler had taken 39 wickets in 11 Test matches and recorded the best match figures by a New Zealand debutant with 9/93 against South Africa.
Rob Walter highlighted the importance of New Zealand’s leading fast bowlers being fully fit ahead of the upcoming Test tours. The head coach said the return of key fast bowlers will bring quality, pace and aggression to the bowling attack in challenging English conditions.
“It’s a great privilege to begin this next phase of sustained red-ball cricket with all our fast bowlers ready to go,” Walter said. “Kyle has been on a journey to prepare his body for Test cricket. He is really fit and strong at the moment and will bring a unique edge to our bowling line-up. Will brings a quality set of skills and physical attributes that will make him an extremely exciting addition to any Test team.”
Kane Williamson included in New Zealand squad for England and Ireland Tests
New Zealand are currently placed second in the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 77.78.
Kane Williamson has retained his place in the team and is just 539 runs away from becoming the first New Zealand batsman to score 10,000 Test runs. Meanwhile, Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner Jacob Duffy will miss the tour as he will be with his wife ahead of the birth of their first child.
Veteran all-rounder Michael Bracewell also made himself unavailable after deciding to prioritize white-ball cricket over the Test format. Tom Latham will captain the team, while Tom Blundell has been selected as the primary wicketkeeper for the upcoming tours.
Squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wk), Christian Clarke (Ire only), Devon Conway, Jack Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (Ire only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (16th for Ireland and England Traveling Reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner. Kane Williamson, Will Young (Ireland only).
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