Strong Black Caps ready to face India in Test series
Tom Latham will lead a near full-strength Black Caps squad for the two-match Test series against India with plenty to prove on New Zealand soil..
The series will be the Black Caps first red-ball face-off with India since the team's historic3-0 Test series victory in 2024 - the first ever Test series whitewash of India at home by a visiting team.
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Latham, 34 will have the serices of Tom Blundell (quadricep), Devon Conway (concussion), and Rachin Ravindra (shoulder), who are working through their respective injuries and aiming to be available for the first Test at the Basin Reserve..
There's a similar look to the Test side that toured England earlier this year, with the exceptions of Ben Sears (ankle injury), Zak Foulkes (hip injury), and Will O'Rourke (return-to-play programme), and the addition of Jacob Duffy.
The three-Test tour of England in June was another historic series for the Black Caps as they handed the hosts their first home Test series defeat of three or more matches in 14 years.
Poised on 48 Test caps, Tom Blundell is in line to play his 50th Test for New Zealand in Christchurch at Hagley Oval.
Head coach Rob Walter will be joined by bowling coach Jacob Oram, departing batting coach Luke Ronchi, and newly appointed batting coach BJ Watling, who is about to begin his tenure.
The Black Caps on Tuesday night were looking to make a comeback after consecutive losses in the first two matches of the five-match ODI series against India. But play was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Hamilton's Seddon Park due to rain.
Walter said he was looking forward to competing in Tests in front of home crowds.
"This series marks the start of an exciting summer of Test cricket for the Black Caps," Walter said.
"The squad is largely consistent with the team that competed in England earlier this year, so it'll be great to be back together to try and recreate some of that success on home soil."
Walter acknowledged the significance of the series with an eye to the ICC World Test Championship.
"There are 10 Tests scheduled between now and March, so there's no shortage of action for red-ball fans.
"Valuable Championship points are on the line of course, but our focus remains on playing our best cricket against a high-quality team like India."
Black Caps Test squad
Tom Latham (C)
Tom Blundell (WK)
Devon Conway
Jacob Duffy
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Daryl Mitchell
Henry Nicholls
Glenn Phillips
Rachin Ravindra
Mitchell Santner
Nathan Smith
Blair Tickner
Will Young
Black Caps v India - Test Series
1st Test - November 19th-23rd, Basin Reserve, Wellington
2nd Test - November 27th-December 2nd, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
