TAURANGA: The New Zealand Blackcaps have announced a significant boost to their squad for the three-match One Day International series against England, with star batter Kane Williamson set to make his return to international cricket at Bay Oval on October 26.
The 35-year-old missed the ongoing T20I series due to a “minor medical issue” that kept him sidelined for the past month, marking his first appearance for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final in March.
Williamson, who holds a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), has also been balancing international duties with county and Hundred commitments for Middlesex, and a recent advisory role for IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The squad, captained once again by the recently-recovered Mitchell Santner, also welcomes back all-rounder Nathan Smith from an abdominal injury sustained in August, and wicketkeeper Tom Latham, who returns after a shoulder injury.
Head coach Rob Walter, taking charge of the ODI side for the first time, expressed his enthusiasm. “We all know what Kane means to the Blackcaps—to have his skill, experience and leadership back in the group is fantastic,” Walter stated. He also praised Smith’s all-round skills and the consistency of the current World Number Two ODI side. However, the team selection was also defined by a list of unavailable key players, including Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring).
Filling the gaps, Canterbury all-rounder Zak Foulkes, 23, has been included after impressing for New Zealand A last month with back-to-back fifties.
The pace attack will be spearheaded by Matt Henry, currently the leading ODI seamer in 2025 with 24 wickets at an average of 15.50.
The three-match ODI series, which Head Coach Walter marks as “very much the start of our journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2027,” kicks off in Tauranga on Sunday, October 26. The action then moves to Hamilton (October 29) and concludes in Wellington (November 1).
New Zealand ODI Squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
