New Zealand’s speedster Neil Wagner is likely to miss out the upcoming first Test against India starting from Friday (Feb 21) at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Matt Henry will join the Test squad as cover for Wagner, who’s awaiting the birth of his first child.
Henry last played for the Black Caps in the New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney, where he picked just two wickets. So far, he has taken 30 wickets at 50.16, with best figures of 4/93.
Earlier, Kiwis announced their squad for the two-match series opener and picked ‘tall pacer’ Kyle Jamieson who debuted against India during the recently concluded One-Day International (ODI) series.
Wagner had a tremendous 2019. He picked 43 wickets and was the third-highest wicket-taker last year after Pat Cummins (59) and Nathan Lyon (45).
New Zealand’s official Twitter handle broke the news and tweeted: “Matt Henry has been called into the BLACKCAPS Test squad as cover for Neil Wagner who is awaiting the birth of his child. Henry will arrive in Wellington this evening. #NZvIND”
Matt Henry has been called into the BLACKCAPS Test squad as cover for Neil Wagner who is awaiting the birth of his child. Henry will arrive in Wellington this evening. #NZvIND
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 19, 2020
The absence of Wagner will impact the host team; however, the relieving news for them is that their paceman Trent Boult has returned to the national side. Boult has also challenged Indian skipper Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test.
Here’s New Zealand’s revised squad:
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Matt Henry.
