Kane Williamson Leads Black Caps Return for West Indies Test Series

The Black Caps have announced a 14-member squad for their first Test against the West Indies, set to begin on December 2, 2023, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The team sees the return of their all-time leading run-scorer, Kane Williamson, who has been absent from the Test side since the series against England in December 2022.

Williamson’s inclusion comes after he missed the recent Test series in Zimbabwe to manage his workload and focus on preparation for this upcoming Test series. Notably, he recently retired from T20 internationals earlier this month, aiming to concentrate on formats that align with his long-term career goals. His last Test appearance saw him score his 33rd Test century, solidifying his status as one of New Zealand’s cricket greats.

Joining Williamson in the squad are pace bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Blair Tickner. Duffy and Foulkes both made their Test debuts in Zimbabwe in August, with Foulkes achieving remarkable match figures of 9 for 75—setting a record for a Black Cap on debut. Tickner returns to the fold after a successful run in the ODI series against England, where he was named player of the match in consecutive games.

Fortunately for the Black Caps, Daryl Mitchell has recovered from a minor groin injury sustained during the first ODI against the West Indies on November 16, 2023. However, Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips remain unavailable for selection due to their ongoing recovery from injuries. Additionally, Matt Fisher (shin), Will O’Rourke (back), and Ben Sears (hamstring) were not considered due to injury concerns.

Black Caps head coach Rob Walter expressed enthusiasm over Williamson’s return, highlighting not just his on-field skills but also his leadership qualities. “Kane’s ability on the field speaks for itself, and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test group,” Walter stated. He also praised Foulkes for his impressive debut performance, noting that his recent form has rightfully earned him a place in the squad.

Walter further emphasized the experience of Duffy and Tickner, who have demonstrated their capabilities in white-ball cricket this summer and are expected to carry that momentum into the Test arena.

The Black Caps will face the West Indies in a three-Test series, with the second Test scheduled for December 10 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, followed by the final Test at Bay Oval in Tauranga on December 18.

The full Black Caps squad for the West Indies series includes:

– Tom Latham (c) – Canterbury
– Tom Blundell (wk) – Wellington Firebirds
– Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds
– Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds
– Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts
– Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds
– Zak Foulkes – Canterbury
– Matt Henry – Canterbury
– Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury
– Mitchell Santner – Northern Districts
– Nathan Smith – Wellington Firebirds
– Blair Tickner – Central Districts
– Kane Williamson – Northern Districts
– Will Young – Central Districts

As the Black Caps prepare for this vital series, all eyes will be on Williamson as he aims to lead his team to success against a competitive West Indies side.