Lightening Boult back for Tests
Left-arm pacer’s return to the squad boosts home side ahead of the first Test from Feb 21
WELLINGTON: Fit-again senior pacer Trent Boult has been named in the 13-member New Zealand squad for the first Test against India starting here on Friday.
The 6 feet 8 inch pacer Kyle Jamieson, who made his ODI debut against India in the recent series, has also earned his call up in the Test squad, which will have slow left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel as the only spinner, a media release from New Zealand cricket said.
Boult’s comeback is a big boost for the New Zealand side as he missed the entire limited-overs leg due to a fractured right hand sustained during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG. “It’s terrific to have Trent back with us and we’re looking forward to the energy and experience he adds to the group alongside his obvious class with the ball in hand,” head coach and chief selector Gary Stead said.
Jamieson, on the other hand, has been included in a pre-series Test squad for the first time. He had replaced injured Lockie Ferguson midway in Australia in December. “Kyle will offer us a point of difference with the bounce he could extract on what is traditionally a good surface in Wellington,” Stead said.
Mumbai-born Patel was chosen over leg-spinner Ish Sodhi because of his consistency. “We’re excited to welcome back Ajaz , who has done a great job for us overseas and has a proven domestic record in NZ conditions,” the coach said. Daryl Mitchell of Northern Districts is also in as a batting all-rounder.
Tom Blundell will continue to open the batting along side Tom Latham following his breakthrough century in Melbourne.
The Wellington Test will be Ross Taylor’s 100th. He will join the ranks of his former teammates Brendon Mccullum, Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming.
Taylor will become the first cricketer in the world to complete 100 games across three international formats. “To play 100 Tests for your country is an incredible achievement and a testament to his work ethic and complete professionalism,”
Stead said of Taylor. The coach, however, acknowledged that they had to make some tough decisions while selecting the squad. “With a squad of 13 we’ve put a priority on balance and making sure we have the needed variety and different options depending on the pitch conditions at the Basin Reserve,” Stead said.
PATEL VS HOME NATION AFP adds:
Patel, who is in line for a dream appearance against India, has played seven Tests, taking 22 wickets.
His family moved to New Zealand when he was a child but the 31-year-old has always followed Indian cricket closely, rating visiting skipper Virat Kohli “the best in the world”.
He played his first Test against Pakistan in 2018 but has only earned seven caps with the selectors preferring all-rounder Mitchell Santner. Even after his debut two years ago, Patel’s thoughts were focused on one day playing India.
Growing up in an Indian family “you’re always passionate about cricket and you watch a lot of great Indian players just like I have watched New Zealand players”, he said.
On the prospects of bowling to Kohli, he said: “If that comes ,I will cherish it and give it the best crack.”
Patel’s domestic form this season has seen him dislodge Santner from the Test squad.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.