Kane Williamson will continue his quest for 10,000 Test runs after being selected on Thursday for New Zealand’s May and June matches against England and Ireland.
Will Young was surprisingly left out of the squad for the tour’s England leg in favor of Henry Nicholls.
Before beginning a three-Test series against England on June 4, the 19-man team will play a one-off Test match against Ireland in Belfast on May 27.
In 108 Test matches, Williamson has amassed 9,461 runs at an average of 54.7. He declared in December that he was thinking about retiring.
“As you get to the latter stages (of your career) those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” said Williamson, who added his future commitment to the Black Caps would be “series by series”.
The 35-year-old has reportedly committed to New Zealand’s next four Test matches. Later in the year, New Zealand will also play Australia away and India at home.
Young has traditionally been New Zealand’s batting group’s chosen backup, so his exclusion from the England Tests is shocking.
Young had four 50-plus scores in his past nine Test innings despite having few opportunities, including 74 to start the batting against a blazing spell from fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani on a lively pitch against Zimbabwe.
After 18 months in the international wilderness, Nicholls got a recall. The following day, he came in on a pitch that was then benign and reached 150 not out, but he had hardly faced Zimbabwe’s finest bowler.
Young will return home after the Ireland Test, even though he is a member of the team.
Two possible debutants were identified by Black Caps coach Rob Walter: spin-bowling all-rounder Dean Foxcroft and seamer Kristian Clarke.
“To be able to test ourselves against some of the very best Test teams in the world is an exciting challenge and with the added carrot of the fourth edition of the World Test Championship,” Walter said.
“I know it’s something the players and staff alike have been looking forward to for some time and we’re determined to meet the opportunity head on.”
Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson’s return strengthens New Zealand, although Jacob Duffy will miss the tour while he awaits the birth of his child.
Michael Bracewell, an all-rounder, announced that he will concentrate on limited-overs forms instead of playing Test cricket.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Kristian Clarke (IRE only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (IRE only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (IRE only)
