Kane Williamson has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of the tour of India. He returned to the team for the upcoming England series. Besides, all-rounder Nathan Smith has been called up to the Test team for the first time.
Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy has also been retained in the squad. As expected, Bear Sears and Kyle Jamison are out with knee and back injuries. Ejaz Patel, who took 15 wickets in India, was not called up. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will join the squad ahead of the second and third Tests. The first test will be on November 28.
Smith made his international debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka earlier this week. He earned a central contract with a maximum of 33 wickets in the Plunkett Shield last season. He took 27 wickets along with three half-centuries for Worcestershire in last season's County Championship.
Williamson's return will put pressure on Will Young, the player of the India series, to stay in the playing XI. Before announcing the team on Friday, Tim Southee said that if the team does not reach the final of the championship, he will play the last Test of his career in this series.
A 3-0 series win in India gave New Zealand a place in the final, but despite a whitewash against England, they will have to look to other teams' matches.
New Zealand Team: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (2nd and 3rd Test), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
