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New Zealand captain Tim Southee’s involvement in the forthcoming Test series may be uncertain as the team prepares for the spinning conditions of the subcontinent during their tours of India and Sri Lanka. Should Southee be unavailable, Tom Latham is likely to step up as captain.
As New Zealand gears up to play a single Test against Afghanistan in India followed by a two-match series against Sri Lanka, the team may reassess Southee’s role depending on the pitch conditions and overall strategy.
Tim Southee expected to miss the Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
The experienced fast bowler, leading a 15-player squad equipped with a robust spin attack, may miss some matches against Afghanistan in India and Sri Lanka.
The squad includes five dedicated spin bowlers: Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Michael Bracewell, with Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra providing additional spin support.
Conversely, New Zealand’s pace lineup, which features Southee, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke, might undergo strategic adjustments to adapt to the spin-friendly pitches in the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida and the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Gary Stead discusses the hurdles pace bowlers face in sub-continental Tests.
Following the announcement of New Zealand’s Test squad for the upcoming tour, head coach Gary Stead hinted at possible changes, indicating that pace bowlers, including captain Southee, might not feature in every match.
Stead noted that spin tends to prevail in the subcontinent, which could lead to Southee being excluded from some fixtures. The Test captain might miss one or more of the three Tests, especially the Sri Lanka series, due to the expected dominance of spin conditions.
Gary Stead said in an official statement: “Test tours to the subcontinent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the heat and humidity. While we’re going over with an open mind around conditions, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different tests.
“Tim and I have discussed this and the need during these overseas tours to balance the workloads of the pace bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served.”
In a notable development, Pakistan’s spin maestro Saqlain Mushtaq is set to return to New Zealand’s coaching staff as the bowling coach for the upcoming three-Test series in India and Sri Lanka. Former England wicketkeeper James Foster will also rejoin the team as an assistant coach.
New Zealand’s cricket schedule from September to December features nine Test matches, including a home series against England in October and November. Currently holding the third position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings, these matches are pivotal for New Zealand as they aim to secure a place in the WTC final at Lord’s next June.
