New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will return to Test action in England next month having recovered from an elbow injury.
A quartet of uncapped players also feature in a 20-strong touring squad.
Williamson has not featured for the Kiwis since November and missed the drawn home series against Bangladesh and South Africa as a consequence.
But he is now playing in the Indian Premier League and will lead the world Test champions against Ben Stokes’ England for a three-match series that starts at Lord’s on June 2.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Seamers Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner, all-rounder Michael Bracewell and wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher have been included as part of an enlarged squad.
This will be whittled down to 15 players before the series – Williamson is one of several players who may arrive late due to IPL commitments.
“The red-ball tour of England first up is clearly high on our priority list and we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running over there in a couple of weeks’ time,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
“Touring England is always a special occasion with the people, the grounds and the history all making for a wonderful experience.
“The English are always tough in their own conditions and have many talented players they can call on.”
New Zealand will be without the retired duo of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling but have the other 13 players who beat India at the Ageas Bowl in the final of last year’s World Test Championship.
Shortly before that momentous victory, New Zealand claimed their first Test success in England in 22 years after prevailing 1-0 in a two-match series 11 months ago.
“There’s a reason we’ve only ever won a couple of Test series over there and we know we’ll have to be at our very best to do it again,” Stead added.
New Zealand’s squad: K Williamson (captain), T Blundell (wicketkeeper), T Boult, M Bracewell, D Conway, C de Grandhomme, J Duffy, C Fletcher, M Henry, K Jamieson, T Latham, D Mitchell, H Nicholls, A Patel, R Ravindra, H Rutherford, T Southee, B Tickner, N Wagner, W Young.
Patel has never played a home test, so with all due respect, don't know what planet you are on mate.
Sylvester
Guest
To be fair to the selectors, Patel was selected for an earlier home series after bowling well in UAE (I think) and did nothing. Didn't take a wicket in 3 tests.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Too many injuries. Too much of a risk - needs to prove he can bowl long spells.
The Kiwis will hopefully rectify their mistake and play Patel...yeah that guy that took all 10 wickets in one innings, then was promptly dropped. I have seen him bowl domestically on flat wickets, and he is so accurate that he still troubles batsmen even when there is not much turn, and I can see him tying the English middle order up in knots. And give him just a tiny bit of turn later in the match....look out. But, I then forget that NZ has some doofus selectors that at one stage preferred Mitchell Santner, and the last time Santner spun anything was his own body on the dance floor.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Brace yourself well for more of them in the generations to come.
Sylvester
Guest
Too injury prone
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
I haven't been following the Kiwis closely of late, why isn't Ferguson in that squad?
Targa
Roar Rookie
This one (Michael) is Doug's cousin. His father played for Otago and uncles John and Brendon for NZ.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Decent squad. Dane Cleaver was unlucky not to be 2nd keeper on tour instead of Fletcher (both equally good). Would've preferred Nathan Smith over Duffy, and Tom Bruce over Bracewell due to Plunket Shield (1st class performances), but a fairly straightforward selection. We need to get more experience into younger players as there will be mass retirements in the next 3-4 years. Most of the squad are in their 30s.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Another Bracewell? They love a brace of Bracewells