Tom Blundell has been passed fit and returns to the Black Caps squad for this week’s third test against the West Indies in Tauranga, while Ajaz Patel is also in line for an international comeback.
Blundell, 35, has been sidelined since day one of the series opener, when he suffered a hamstring tear while batting, as both sides played out a draw in Christchurch.
But after sitting out of the second test, a nine-wicket win in Wellington, Blundell has passed a fitness test and been selected as the sole wicketkeeper in the 14-man group for Bay Oval.
His return comes at the expense of fellow glovesman Mitch Hay, who impressed on debut at the Basin Reserve. The 25-year-old took three catches with the gloves, as well as top-scoring in the test with a mature 61 runs from 93 balls.
However, captain Tom Latham, senior batter Daryl Mitchell and batting coach Luke Ronchi all indicated that Blundell would return to the side as soon as he was fit.
“His experience is invaluable, even more so as we have a few guys in the squad who are relatively new to test cricket,” coach Rob Walter said of Blundell. “He is a leader in the group and we’re very pleased to see him back.
“We know Mitch’s quality from his time with the white-ball side, and he did a great job for us in Wellington – it’s very pleasing to have that added depth at wicketkeeper.”
Elsewhere, 37-year-old Patel is in line for his first home test since early 2020, as New Zealand’s bowling stocks remain tested by a spate of injuries.
With Matt Henry (calf) and Nathan Smith (side) ruled out mid-test in Christchurch, the Black Caps lost Blair Tickner (shoulder) on day one at the Basin Reserve.
And with Will O’Rourke (back) and Matt Fisher (shin) injured, as well as the pair of Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears being managed back to full fitness, the selectors have turned to spin.
While he hasn’t played a home test since 2020, Patel has become an overseas specialist for the Black Caps. Of his 85 test wickets, including a history-making haul of 10/119 against India in 2021, none have been taken at home.
After New Zealand’s 3-0 series win in India last year, Patel conceded he didn’t know if he’d play test cricket again. Now, though, Walter will reunite with Patel - after the pair shared a dressing room with Central Districts – should conditions at Bay Oval call for a spinner.
Tauranga is among the friendliest grounds towards slow bowlers in New Zealand, given the heat means pitches will more often than not be drier than elsewhere in the country, and bring spin into play.
Patel’s inclusion comes at the expense of an additional seamer, with Jamieson perceived to be at the front of the queue for that final spot.
The 30-year-old remains on a return-to-play programme and has played just one red-ball match since February 2024, after suffering a stress fracture in his back during the Black Caps’ victory over South Africa at Bay Oval.
Jamieson was not picked for Canterbury’s Plunket Shield match against Auckland in Christchurch this week. However, New Zealand Cricket has confirmed to the Herald that was part of his return-to-play programme and not a sign of impending test selection.
The rest of the test squad remains the same from the Basin Reserve, with the series finale to begin on Thursday.
Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.