NEW ZEALAND READY TO PLAY AFGHANISTAN AND SRI LANKA

New Zealand have announced there squad for their Asian campaign, in which they will play a test match against Afghanistan and a two-match series against Sri Lanka. The series against Sri Lanka is part of the World Test Championship 2023–25. It will be important for New Zealand, as they are in 3rd place on the points table and looking to play in the final.

New Zealand has announced a 15-Man squad, which includes 5 spinners and it’s a good strategy at Asian soil. Sri Lankan pitches are friendly for the spin bowlers and will help them. We have seen in the ODI series against India that the spinners dominated and defeated them. Afghanistan is also a spin-dominant side, and they will play the only test in India.

New Zealand lost the World T20 2024 match against Afghanistan very badly, and now they are playing a test against them. I think it is a preparation match against Afghanistan because they are the emerging team and New Zealand wants to practice against them. They will be prepared for the Sri Lankan series as well, because Afghan spinners are more lethal than Sri Lankan spinners, so it will help New Zealand play the spin better.

Tim Southee is announced as the captain of the Kiwis. Southee will lead the fast bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke, as well as Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, Glen Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, who are the spin bowling options.

Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Source: http://www.icc-cricket.com

• Test vs Afghanistan Noida, India 9-13 September

1st Test vs Sri Lanka Galle, 18-22 September

2nd Test vs Sri Lanka Galle, 26-30 September

Live score coverage of the series at Live Score