The New Zealand cricket team has arrived in India ahead of their historic one-off Test match against Afghanistan, scheduled for September 9th at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground. This will be the first ever red-ball encounter between the two nations, marking a significant moment in cricketing history.
The Black Caps have assembled a formidable squad for this crucial test. Veteran pacer Tim Southee will lead the team, with the squad featuring notable players such as former skipper Kane Williamson, who opted out of a central contract earlier this year, alongside Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra. Tom Latham will continue his role as vice-captain.
In a strategic move, the New Zealand team has included five spin bowling options for the match. This suggests a focus on adapting to the Indian conditions, with Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, and Ajaz Patel joining part-timers Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. The team will hold its first practice session on Friday, aiming to acclimatize to the pitch and prepare for the challenging encounter.
The Test against Afghanistan serves as valuable preparation for the upcoming World Test Championship fixtures. The New Zealand team will subsequently face Sri Lanka in a two-match series, followed by a crucial three-match Test series against India in October and November. The matches against India, also part of the WTC calendar, will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.
New Zealand currently holds the third position in the ICC WTC points table, trailing behind last edition’s finalists India and Australia. The upcoming series against India will be a crucial test for the Black Caps as they aim to solidify their position and secure a spot in the next World Test Championship final.
