Pace bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Blair Tickner have been included in a 14-strong BLACKCAPS squad for the first Tegel Test against West Indies, starting at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on December 2.
The side’s all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson has also returned to the side after missing the Test series in Zimbabwe over the winter.
Duffy and Foulkes made their Test debuts together in Zimbabwe in August, with Foulkes claiming the best match figures by a BLACKCAP on Test debut of 9 for 75.
Tickner returns to the Test side for the first time since 2023 and following back-to-back ANZ player of the match performances against England in the Chemist Warehouse ODI series earlier this month.
Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips weren’t considered for the first Test as they continue to build their match fitness as part of a managed red-ball return-to-play plan.
Daryl Mitchell has been selected in the Test squad, after recovering from the minor groin injury he picked up during the first ODI against the West Indies in Christchurch on November 16.
BLACKCAPS squad | Tegel Test Series v West Indies
Tom Latham (c) Canterbury
Tom Blundell (wk) Wellington Firebirds
Michael Bracewell Wellington Firebirds
Devon Conway Wellington Firebirds
Jacob Duffy Otago Volts
Zak Foulkes Canterbury
Matt Henry Canterbury
Daryl Mitchell Canterbury
Rachin Ravindra Wellington Firebirds
Mitchell Santner Northern Districts
Nathan Smith Wellington Firebirds
Blair Tickner Central Stags
Kane Williamson Northern Districts
Will Young Central Stags
Matt Fisher (shin), Will O’Rourke (back) and Ben Sears (hamstring) were not considered for selection due to injury.
BLACKCAPS head coach Rob Walter welcomed the return of Williamson to an already high performing Test side.
“Kane’s 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 group,” he said.
“He’s had a bit of time off to get himself ready for red-ball cricket, and I know he’s looking forward to playing for Northern Districts in the second round of the Plunket Shield in the lead-up to the first Test.”
Walter spoke on Zak Foulkes’ selection after his Test debut in Zimbabwe earlier in the year.
“Zak couldn’t have performed much better in his first Test against Zimbabwe. That, along with his recent form across the white-ball tours, has rightfully earned him selection."
Walter said Duffy and Tickner were experienced campaigners.
“Both Jacob and Blair have been around a while and know what it takes to perform at the highest level.
“They’ve impressed in their white-ball opportunities so far this summer and we back them to do so in the Test arena if called upon.”
The first Test starts in Christchurch at Hagley Oval on Tuesday, December 2.
The second Test starts at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington on December 10 with the third and final Test beginning at Bay Oval in Tauranga on December 18.
