Australia Test Squad For New Zealand Tour: Michael Neser Returns; Matt Renshaw And Scott Boland Retain Spots

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Experienced pacer Michael Neser added as Australia on Friday (February 9) announced a similar looking squad from the West Indies series for the upcoming tour to New Zealand.

Australia will travel to New Zealand later this month to play a 3-match T20I series against their Trans-Tasman neighbours followed by a two-match Test series, starting on February 29 in Wellington. The second Test will be staged in Christchurch from March 8.

Keeping New Zealand's seam-friendly pitches in mind, Australia have decided to go for an extra pacer while the rest of the squad resembles to the one that drew a two-match Test series against West Indies earlier this year with Matt Renshaw and Scott Boland retaining their spots.

Pat Cummins will return to lead the side for the series alongside Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, who will form a strong bowling attack that will be further strengthened by the inclusion of Neser, who is back in Test fold for the first time since December 2022.

Steve Smith is expected to continue in his new opening role along with Usman Khawaja, while the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Renshaw will be the other batting options.

Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh will be the pace-bowling all-rounder options for Australia with Alex Carey continuing to hold the sole wicketkeeper slot in the 14-member squad.

Neser's inclusion provides Australia with a strong bowling backup but he will be behind the likes of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Boland. However, Australia chief selector George Bailey believes that having an additional pacer would be important if it suits the surface condition.

"It's great to see Michael Neser get another opportunity in the squad following his ever-consistent performances over a long period of time and the conditions we expect," Bailey said as quoted from ICC.

"As we know every Test match provides vital opportunities to obtain valuable WTC points and we expect this tour will be a tough challenge against a very strong side who have been so consistent at home for a long period of time," Bailey added.

Renshaw and Boland were part of the squad in the home series against West Indies, but were unused in the two Tests. Here is a look at the Australian Test squad that will travel to New Zealand:

Australia Test squad vs New Zealand 2024

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vice captain), Mitchell Starc.