3 minute read
A look at the New Zealand Test squad members for the three-match series against Australia.
NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD TO FACE AUSTRALIA
Kane Williamson (capt)
Age: 29
Tests: 76
Batting average: 52.68
Has stamped his mark as a captain, bettering the results achieved under predecessor Brendon McCullum while somehow accelerating his run-scoring feats at the same time. Three Tests in Australia will examine both aspects of Williamson's game to the hilt. Likely to be New Zealand's greatest ever batsman by the time he retires.
Tom Latham
Age: 27
Tests: 47
Batting average: 44.02
A rare gem in contemporary Test cricket - an opener who is both consistent and prolific. Has matured noticeably in the last 18 months, reaching triple figures in five of his last 11 innings, going on to pass 150 on four of those occasions. Youngest player in the tour squad, highlighting their experience.
Jeet Raval
Age: 31
Tests: 22
Batting average: 32.29
Stands out like a sore thumb in a batting lineup boasting form and experience. The long-form specialist has fallen into a crevasse, tallying 64 runs in his last seven innings. His place is under heavy pressure but the tourists' only other option is to pit a non-specialist opener against the new ball.
Ross Taylor
Age: 35
Tests: 96
Batting average: 47.12
No signs of slowing for the veteran, who needs 151 runs to surpass Stephen Fleming's New Zealand Test runs record. Proven in Australian conditions, his 290 at Perth four years ago remains of one the country's great knocks. His partnerships with Williamson have been fundamental to the big team scores of recent times.
Henry Nicholls
Age: 28
Tests: 29
Batting average: 43.42
Unheralded and has come a long way since struggling in his maiden series against the Australians four years ago. Yet to play on Australian soil but has the temperament and back foot methodology to succeed. Five tons and seven 50s in his last 30 knocks.
BJ Watling
Age: 34
Tests: 65
Batting average: 40.67
The veteran gloveman has emerged as a late-career batting force, making the No.6 spot his own and tipping his average over 40. A match-winning, and ultimately series-winning, double century against England last month epitomised his renowned grit and concentration.
Tom Blundell
Age: 29
Tests: 2
Batting average: 68.00
A test centurion on debut against the West Indies, the back-up 'keeper is good enough with the willow to be regarded as the team's lone batting cover for the series.
Colin de Grandhomme
Age: 33
Tests: 19
Batting average: 40.33
Bowling stats: 38 wickets at 29.63
The tourists will want the big Harare-born allrounder to shake off his abdominal tear. A proven and sometimes brutal batting force, he has also forged a meritorious record with his medium pace. Any player with a batting average that sits 11 runs higher than his bowling average has to be respected.
Mitchell Santner
Age: 27
Tests: 20
Batting average: 28.36
Bowling stats: 38 wickets at 39.31
Became the ninth member of the tour squad with a century to his name following a flamboyant first Test century against England. Adds length to the batting lineup at No.8 but questions remain about his ability to dominate as a first-choice spinner, with his left-armers better suited so far to limited overs cricket.
Todd Astle
Age: 33
Tests: 4
Batting average: 14.00
Bowling stats: 4 wickets at 54.0
Four Tests spread across seven years and minimal success suggest the legspinner will face more time on the pine unless team management want to take a punt on a more aggressive tweaking option than Santner. Has an enduringly impressive domestic record.
Matt Henry
Age: 27
Tests: 11
Batting average: 20.09
Bowling stats: 28 wickets at 48.46
Has had only sporadic chances because of the ongoing success of the Boult-Southee-Wagner seam triumvirate. Works hard and troubles batsmen but his figures don't shine.
Tim Southee
Age 30
Tests: 69
Batting average: 18.20
Bowling stats: 258 wickets at 30.01
A clever bowler in tandem with Boult who's found new ways to take wickets but has never thrived in Australia. His seven Tests there have reaped 16 wickets at more than 50 runs a pop. Always good for some lusty hitting and quality catches in close.
Neil Wagner
Age: 33
Tests: 44
Batting average: 12.42
Bowling stats: 187 wickets at 26.98
The great unknown is whether Wagner's influence on Kiwi pitches can continue on the harder Australian variety. Not overly-quick but his skidding short balls and long, tireless spells have been a central part of New Zealand's success. The left-armer took 13 England wickets on two lifeless tracks, earning him player of the series honours.
Trent Boult
Age: 30
Tests: 64
Batting average: 14.80
Bowling stats: 255 wickets at 27.64
Like Southee, hasn't produced his best numbers against Australia but he's nevertheless the bowler most likely to take clumps of wickets. The tourists will be sweating on his fitness ahead of the opening day-night Test, the left-arm swing merchant having proven himself lethal with the pink ball previously.
Lockie Ferguson
Age: 28
Tests: 0
Uncapped but the slippery paceman is a possible New Zealand trump card. Has become a force in 44 white ball internationals, second only to Mitchell Starc for wickets at this year's World Cup, where his pace accounted for David Warner and Steve Smith in the trans-Tasman clash.
