Blackcaps name pair of potential debutants in Test squad to face England

Allrounder Nathan Smith has been awarded his maiden Test call-up for the three-Test series against England.

The stand-out bowler in last year's Plunket Shield, Wellington's Smith made his international debut in Sri Lanka last week and is now poised to make his Test debut against Brendon McCullum's team, alongside fellow potential debutant Jacob Duffy.

Kane Williamson returns to the squad, having missed the historic tour to India due to a groin injury, replacing Mark Chapman.

Of the squad that toured India, Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi have not been included, as the selectors seek a different bowling group for the expected home conditions.

The series will be the final in whites for veteran bowler Tim Southee, who will retire after the final match at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

Selector Sam Wells admitted it was tough to leave out a quality player like Patel following his player of the match performance in Mumbai, but the decision was informed by the expected home conditions, Mitchell Santner's recent Test form and the presence of Glenn Phillips.

"Mitch has performed superbly since his recall to the Test team last year, and I am sure he will take a lot of confidence out of his match winning performance in the Pune Test," said Wells.

The first Test starts at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on November 28, before the series moves to Wellington's Basin Reserve (starting December 6) and finishes at Seddon Park (December 14).

Blackcaps Test squad v England:

Tom Latham (capt.), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy*, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (2nd & 3rd Tests), Nathan Smith*, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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