Long wait finally over for Young
New Zealand will enter the first cricket test of the summer without three first-choice players after it was confirmed yesterday that Will Young will make his long-awaited debut.
The 28-year-old will open the batting with Tom Latham for the Black Caps against the West Indies in Hamilton today in the place of injured wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
Tom Blundell, who opened in the last two home tests against India earlier this year, will keep wicket in place of Watling and will move down the batting order.
Watling suffered a hamstring injury playing for Northern Districts in the Ford Trophy one-day competition on Sunday and didn’t take part in training on eve of the test in his hometown, although he could be fit to play the second test starting in Wellington on December 11.
Williamson said it was ‘‘obviously a really special occasion for [Young]’’.
‘‘It’s an exciting opportunity for him and I know he’s looking forward to getting involved after some near opportunities that didn’t eventuate.’’
Young was set to make his debut in March 2019 against Bangladesh at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, but that match was cancelled in the wake of the mosque shootings.
Young’s debut comes off the back of two matches for New Zealand A against the tourists, including one that concluded on Sunday, where he made 133.
Williamson said the Black Caps were yet to finalise their playing XI, but confirmed Devon Conway – who excelled in his first two Twenty20 matches for his adopted country – would not be involved after being called up as injury cover on Tuesday.
New Zealand had already made two changes to the initial squad for the two tests against the Windies when all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel were unable to overcome injuries.
A decision will be made tomorrow over the Black Caps’ bowling lineup, with all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner and pacemen Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner vying for five spots.