Southampton: Skipper Kane Williamson, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and BJ Watling have been included in the New Zealand squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India which gets underway from Friday. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead on Tuesday announced the 15-member squad for the WTC final starting from June 18.
Williamson who had missed the second Test against England due to an elbow injury has returned back. Watling too had missed the second Test due to a back injury. Patel has been gifted a place in the WTC final after he shone in the second Test against England at the Edgbaston.
“There’s had to be some tough calls with Mitchell and Daryl victims of the fierce competition we currently have for places in the Test side. We’ve gone with Ajaz as our specialist spinner after an impressive outing at Edgbaston and we believe he could be a factor at the Ageas Bowl,” Stead said at the press conference.
“Kane and BJ have certainly benefitted from their week of rest and rehabilitation and we expect them to be fit and available for the final. Playing in a World Cup Final is a really special occasion and I know the guys are looking forward to getting into their work here in Southampton. India are a world-class outfit who possess match winners all through their line-up, so we’re under no illusion about how tough they will be to beat,” Stead added.
New Zealand’s squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young.
