Kyle Jamieson comeback to New Zealand squad for England Tests

• Kyle Jamieson appointed to 14-man Test team that will play England at home.
• Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell, and Matt Henry also selected for the team.
• The first Test will be a pink-ball day-night Test played at Tauranga’s Bay Oval.

After recuperating from a back ailment, fast bowler Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand has been appointed to the 14-man Test team that will play England at home in a two-match series starting later this month.

In the Nottingham Test last year, Jamieson last appeared for New Zealand against England before being forced off the field due to a back ailment. He just played T20 and List A cricket for Auckland after being out of action for more than seven months.

The team has five quick-bowling options, including the tall fast bowler, along with the captain Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, and Blair Tickner.

“Kyle is a very determined character with a strong desire to play international cricket for New Zealand. Since he was forced from the field in Nottingham he’s been very clear that he wants to get his body right to return,” said Gary Stead, the New Zealand head coach.

“He’s reported good progress since his return to professional cricket with Auckland and he will get the opportunity to play some long form cricket as part of the New Zealand XI Squad to face England in their warm-up match next week at Seddon Park,” he added.

Ish Sodhi, who recently returned from a successful tour of Pakistan, was also selected for the team, with all-rounder Michael Bracewell serving as the other option for spin bowling.

Both Glenn Phillips and Ajaz Patel, who travelled to Pakistan with the Test team, were passed over for selection.

“Ish [Sodhi] really impressed us with his approach with bat and ball. He’s worked very hard on both in recent years and it was great to see that on the international Test stage,” Stead added on the leg-spinner’s selection.

Luke Ronchi, the batting coach, will be taking a vacation after the India series, therefore Doug Watson will be with the coaching staff for the first Test. He will participate in the Wellington second Test.

The first match in the series will be a pink-ball day-night Test played at Tauranga’s Bay Oval from February 16 to 20. Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve will host the second Test from February 24 to 28.

Tim Southee (captain), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young make up the New Zealand Test team.

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