Outstanding allrounder of the 2020/21 season DOUG BRACEWELL is finally back in the BLACKCAPS Test squad after having last played a Test for his country in August 2016.

Bracewell and ROSS TAYLOR have both been named in a 20-strong touring BLACKCAPS squad to England for two Tests and the ICC Test Championship Final against India subject to a fitness test at the final pre-tour camp in early May - Bracewell having injured his hip in the penultimate round of the Plunket Shield, and Taylor carrying a hamstring niggle.

WILL YOUNG and AJAZ PATEL join the pair for a total of four Central Stags in the squad, with Young already in the UK as he prepares to take up a short Country contract with Durham ahead of the first at Lord’s in London starting on June 2, and the second at Edgbaston in Birmingham from June 10.

DOUG BRACEWELL IS BACK IN THE TEST SQUAD | PHOTOSPORT

The 20-strong squad will be trimmed after the two Test matches to 15 for the ICC World Test Championship Final which is at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton starting on June 18, as per ICC regulations.

Bracewell's inclusion comes as Colin de Grandhomme recovers from surgery on his right ankle last month, with de Grandhomme also subject to a fitness test, while Wellington's young spinning allrounder Rachin Ravindra and Otago paceman Jacob Duffy have been named in a Test squad for the first time today.

The rest of the squad has a familiar look about it with 14 of the 20 having featured in the home summer Test wins over the West Indies and Pakistan.

Uncapped Devon Conway was first called into the BLACKCAPS Test squad in December - as cover for Kane Williamson, so his selection for the England tour represents his first full squad inclusion.

AJAZ PATEL | PHOTOSPORT

De Grandhomme and our star spinner Ajaz Patel return to the Test side after injuries inhibited their selection in the home summer, while BLACKCAS coach Gary Stead noted that it was great to welcome back Bracewell after another consistent red-ball season in which he averaged 26 with the ball and 43 with the bat for the Stags, including a century, and claimed nine wickets for New Zealand A at 19.60.

“Doug’s a match-winner and we’re confident he’ll enjoy bowling on English pitches in June,” said Stead.

“[Meanwhile] Colin’s injury is progressing well and we’re hopeful he will begin running again shortly. We’ll monitor him closely over the next few weeks to ensure he’s on target with where he needs to be in order to be fit to tour."

ROSS TAYLOR | PHOTOSPORT

Patel joins Mitchell Santner and Ravindra as the spinning options in the squad.

“It’s been pleasing to see Ajaz back playing consistently since missing the early part of the season, and he’s proven in the past what he can do if the ball is turning.”

Auckland Aces speedster Lockie Ferguson was not considered for this Test squad as he continues his return from a partial-stress fracture in his back. Stead said the ICC T20 World Cup in India in October-December was the priority for Ferguson, and the selectors didn’t want to jeopardise that by loading him up for Test cricket this early in his recovery.

WILL YOUNG | PHOTOSPORT

Henry Nicholls, Young, Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson have all been selected for their first Test tour of England after strong form in the home summer - Young's first overseas assignment with the BLACKCAPS.

The bulk of the BLACKCAPS will hold two training camps in early May before departing for England in two groups, on May 16 and 17.

BLACKCAPS 2021 Test Squad to England

DOUG BRACEWELL - Central Stags

AJAZ PATEL - Central Stags

ROSS TAYLOR - Central Stags

WILL YOUNG - Central Stags

Kane Williamson - captain - Northern Districts

Tom Blundell - Wellington Firebirds

Trent Boult - Northern Districts

Devon Conway - Wellington Firebirds

Colin de Grandhomme - Northern Districts

Jacob Duffy - Otago Volts

Matt Henry - Canterbury

Kyle Jamieson - Auckland Aces

Tom Latham - Canterbury

Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury

Henry Nicholls - Canterbury

Rachin Ravindra - Wellington Firebirds

Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts

Tim Southee - Northern Districts

Neil Wagner - Northern Districts

BJ Watling - wicketkeeper - Northern Districts

Article added: Thursday 08 April 2021