NZ vs ENG: Kane Williamson Returns & 2 Uncapped Players Named as New Zealand Announce Test Squad to Face England

Kane Williamson returned and two uncapped players included as New Zealand on Friday (November 15) announced their 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England.

Williamson, who missed the India tour due to injury last month, has fully recovered from the groin injury he picked up against Sri Lanka in September and is fit for the World Test Championship (WTC) matches against England, starting on November 28.

Williamson replaces Mark Chapman from the team that toured India, while the selectors have also included two uncapped players in Otago fast bowler Jacob Duffy and seam-bowling, Wellington all-rounder Nathan Smith.

After making his international debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday (November 13), Smith earned his first call-up to the Test squad on the strength of an outstanding season in New Zealand's Plunket Shield.

Tom Latham will continue as skipper and is included in the squad alongside veteran quick Tim Southee, who on Friday announced his plans to retire from Test cricket at the completion of the current World Test Championship campaign.

That could come as early as the third Test against England in Hamilton, with the Black Caps likely to require a clean sweep over England to have any chance of finishing in the top two places on the WTC standings, and in the process qualify for next year's WTC Final at Lord's.

Pacers Ben Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) were not considered for selection as they continue their recovery from injury, while there is no room for spin duo Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi despite some recent good performances against India.

Fellow spinner Mitchell Santner is included for the second and third Tests of the series after he continues his recovery from a side strain that forced him to miss the third Test against India.

In-form Will Young also retains his place in the team alongside Rachin Ravindra, Daryly Mitchell, Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke and Glenn Phillips. Here is a look at the full squad followed by the NZ vs ENG Test series schedule:

New Zealand squad for Test series vs England 2024

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (2nd & 3rd Tests), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.