Jamieson back and fit to take on England
Kyle Jamieson is poised for a test return, eight months after a back injury sidelined him in a series against the same opposition.
The towering seam bowler has been named in a 14-man New Zealand squad for the two-test series versus England this month.
Jamieson has played only a handful of limited-overs games for Auckland since his return from the injury which happened during the second test of a threematch series against England in Nottingham in June.
But head coach Gary Stead said the 28-year-old has shown his readiness for the two tests — the first starting at Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval on February 16.
‘‘Kyle is a very determined character with a strong desire to play international cricket for New Zealand,’’ Stead said.
‘‘Since he was forced from the field in Nottingham he’s been very clear that he wants to get his body right to return. He’s reported good progress since his return to professional cricket with Auckland.’’
With Trent Boult not considered for selection, Jamieson’s return to the test arena is a big boost for the hosts, who lost the series in England 3-0.
Fellow quick bowler Matt Henry has also been included in the extended squad after missing the ODI series against Pakistan and India with an abdominal injury which occurred during the latter stages of the second test versus Pakistan early last month.
Legspinner Ish Sodhi remains in the squad after impressing in that drawn two-test series, but left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has been dropped, while middle-order bat Glenn Phillips misses out.
Phillips was part of the test squad in Pakistan but didn’t play.
‘‘Ish really impressed us with his approach with bat and ball,’’ Stead said.
The first test will be a daynight game, played with a pink ball, while the second test will be at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from February 24-28.
The hosts head into the series without a test win in their last six outings while England, under new captain Ben Stokes and new coach Brendon Mccullum, have won nine of their last 10 tests in buccaneering fashion.