There were no surprises in the 13 New Zealand named for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka that begins on March 9. All 13 players who featured in their recent 1-1 draw with England were named, with the omissions from that squad being the uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy, legspinner Ish Sodhi, and the injured Kyle Jamieson.
Tim Southee will lead the squad that is coming off the high of becoming only the fourth team to win after following on, in a dramatic game which they snatched by one run in Wellington to level the series against England. The batting will continue to be anchored by Kane Williamson, with Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Will Young for support. Tom Blundell will continue behind the wicket, with Michael Bracewell the key in the spin department. Neil Wagner, fresh off his signature short-ball exploits against England, will spearhead the pacers along with Southee, the line-up including Matt Henry, Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn.
Jamieson, who was withdrawn from the squad initially named for that England series, is due to undergo back surgery for an injury that has kept him out of international cricket since June 2022. The out-of-contract Trent Boult, who's focusing on playing franchise T20 cricket, continues to remain unselected.
The two Tests against Sri Lanka are part of the World Test Championship, and while defending champions New Zealand are out of contention for the final, Sri Lanka need to sweep the series 2-0 to have a shot at making the title bout. The first Test will be played in Christchurch, followed by the second in Wellington from March 17.
New Zealand Test squad to face 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Out: Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (withdrawn from previous series)
New Zealand to face UAE in T20Is in August
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) also announced a three-match T20I series against UAE in the UAE for August. The three games will be played on August 17, 19 and 20, as the squad stops over in the UAE on its way to England for limited-overs assignments.
August is peak summer in the UAE, with day-time temperatures often climbing to 45C. NZC said all three games will be played under lights.
New Zealand have previously played UAE in just one international, an ODI during the 1996 World Cup.
"In terms of the global cricket family, it's important we keep helping each other, and growing the game on an international scale," NZC chief executive David White said of the decision to play the series. "NZC has a close relationship with the Emirates Cricket Board and our players are very familiar with the environment. I know the Blackcaps will be looking forward to testing themselves against a competitive UAE team."
The story was updated with the UAE series news.