Latham out, Black Caps depth tested
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 30
The Black Caps have confidence they can still win against Zimbabwe without regular test captain Tom Latham and allrounder Glenn Phillips.
Will Young is set open the batting in place of Latham with Mitchell Santner taking over as captain.
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Santner said while losing Latham and Phillips was a blow, the team wouldn't have any problems adjusting.
"Obviously they're two massive parts of our side. Glenn, that kind of all-round role and Tom, opening the batting and doing such a good job for such a long time. But we've got guys who can come in and and do their job, which is nice," said Santner, who will become the Black Caps 32nd test skipper.
"It's a new feeling. Unfortunate for Tom. He's done such a great job for the test team in the last few years. Obviously it's a great honour to be captain.
"It's still his (Latham's) team and his opinions mean a lot. For me, it's keeping things pretty simple. We've been playing a lot of good cricket recently and want to try to roll that through into these next two weeks."
Latham hopes to be fit for the second and final test against Zimbabwe starting on 7 August.
Head coach Rob Walter was confident that despite the injuries the side could compete and win especially after being unbeaten in the Tri-Series T20 series.
"Michael Bracewell is in the 11 as well, so he and Mitch (Santner) will be our two spin options. Rachin (Ravindra) is on this path to convincing me he is a genuine allrounder. So I'm hoping that he'll get some overs."
Walter isn't expecting the Bulawayo pitch to produce any significant turn, but he said they needed to be prepared for any eventuality.
"We're fortunate in many ways that our allrounders are spinners. So it just provides a different balance opportunity. The pitch is dry and and the conditions for the week look to be sunny and there's a bit of sort of a, a breeze that blows every day," said Walter.
The first test in Bulawayo starts at 8pm NZT on Thursday.
