Tim Southee to lead New Zealand new test squad team for Pakistan

 

New Zealand have wasted no time in ushering in Tim Southee's reign as captain as the Black Caps named their squad for their upcoming two-Test tour of Pakistan.

The Kiwis announced earlier on Thursday that Southee was taking over from Kane Williamson as New Zealand Test captain and the fast bowler's first assignment as skipper will come in Pakistan over the New Year.

Southee leads a new-look squad that will be without fellow quicks Trent Boult (unavailable) and Kyle Jamieson (back injury), with veteran spinner Ish Sodhi and white-ball specialist Glenn Phillips among the players included.

Uncapped pacer Blair Tickner is also named in the 15-player squad, with Williamson to continue in his role as batter and to provide valuable support to Southee and vice-captain Tom Latham.

The matches in Pakistan is the final World Test Championship series for New Zealand this period, with the Black Caps out of the running to defend the title they won against India at Lord's in 2021.

Pakistan could still sneak into the decider and want to seize the chance when New Zealand visits the Asian nation for their first test series since 2003.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is looking forward to the series and believes his team can do well.

"This will be a new experience and the kind of challenge this group is excited about," he said.

"Obviously, we are looking at the current Test series against England, especially the last two Tests of the series in Multan and Karachi, where we play.

The first test will start in Karachi on December 26th, followed by the second test on December 3rd. The day begins in Karachi. Multan.

New Zealand Test Team:

Tim Southee (c), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tick Nah, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.