New Zealand’s formidable Test squad, led by veteran pacer Tim Southee, has arrived in India for their historic one-off Test against Afghanistan. The match, scheduled for September 9 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, marks the first red-ball encounter between the two nations.
The BlackCaps boast a star-studded lineup, including former skipper Kane Williamson, who recently opted out of a central contract. Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra add depth to the batting order, while Tom Latham remains the vice-captain.
Recognizing the importance of spin bowling in Indian conditions, New Zealand has included five spin options in Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and part-timers Phillips and Ravindra. They will hold their first practice session on Friday.
This Test serves as a crucial preparation for New Zealand’s upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC). After Sri Lanka, the BlackCaps will return to India for a three-match Test series against Rohit Sharma’s men, also part of the WTC calendar.
The three games against India will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai in October and November. New Zealand currently sits third in the ICC WTC points table, behind India and Australia.
This historic Test against Afghanistan provides a valuable opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of the upcoming WTC challenges.
