Wellington Firebirds wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has been selected in the BLACKCAPS squad for the upcoming Test series against England and Australia.

Blundell has been selected as wicketkeeper and batting cover for the upcoming run of matches which include two Tests against England and three tests against Australia across the ditch.

The 15-man squad also features the return of captain Kane Williamson who missed the T20I series against England with a re-occurring right-hip injury.

Larsen said a two-week period of rest and rehabilitation had Williamson primed to return for what will be a historic inaugural Test for his home ground of Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

“Kane’s made good progress over the past fortnight and we’re delighted to welcome back a player of his class and experience.

“It’s obviously going to be a very special Test for him and Trent Boult being such passionate locals - we know there’s already a lot of excitement in that part of the Bay of Plenty.”

There are two changes from the recent Test squad who toured Sri Lanka with Ferguson and leg-spinner Todd Astle included in place of spinners Will Somerville and Ajaz Patel.

Larsen said the selections represented a horses for courses approach.

“There were certainly some tough decisions in terms of the spin group with Will and Ajaz performing admirably during their tours of the sub-continent.

“We’ve gone with the versatility of Mitchell and Todd who have experience in the conditions we will face over the next few months and will bolster our lower order batting.”

BLACKCAPS Test Squad

Kane Williamson (c) (Northern Districts)

Todd Astle (Canterbury)

Tom Blundell (Wellington Firebirds)

Trent Boult (Northern Districts)

Colin de Grandhomme (Northern Districts)

Lockie Ferguson (Auckland Aces)

Matt Henry (Canterbury)

Tom Latham (Canterbury)

Henry Nicholls (Canterbury)

Jeet Raval (Auckland Aces)

Mitchell Santner (Northern Districts)

Tim Southee (Northern Districts)

Ross Taylor (Central Stags)

Neil Wagner (Northern Districts)

BJ Watling (Northern Districts)

The first Test of the G.J. Gardner Homes England Tour starts on Thursday November 21 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Two players from the BLACKCAPS squad will be released on the eve of the match to play in the second round of the Ford Trophy, before re-joining the squad ahead of the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton, starting Friday November 29.

Article added: Friday 15 November 2019