New Zealand Bolsters Test Squad with Herath and Rathour
New Zealand’s Test squad has enlisted the expertise of Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour for their upcoming six-Test tour of Asia. Herath, a renowned spin-bowling coach, will guide the team’s spinners for the next three Tests, including one against Afghanistan and two in Sri Lanka. Rathour, a former Indian batsman, will join the squad for the Afghanistan Test only.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that both Herath and Rathour are highly respected in the cricket world. He emphasized the value of Herath’s experience for the team’s left-arm orthodox spinners, Ajaz Patel, Mitch Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, who will benefit from his insights on the subcontinent’s pitches.
Herath’s knowledge of Galle, the venue for the two Sri Lanka Tests, will be particularly valuable, as he has taken over 100 Test wickets there. After the Sri Lanka tour, New Zealand will face India in three Tests in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Only the Afghanistan Test will not count towards the World Test Championship.
In addition to Patel, Santner, and Ravindra, New Zealand has offbreak spin options in Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips for the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Tests. The squad for the India Tests has yet to be announced.
Herath, with 433 Test wickets, replaces former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq as New Zealand’s spin-bowling coach. Rathour, who played six Tests for India, was most recently India’s batting coach and a national selector.