New Zealand announces squad for Zimbabwe Tests: Williamson, Jamieson unavailable; Fischer gets maiden call

New Zealand has handed Matt Fischer a maiden Test call-up for the upcoming two-match Test tour of Zimbabwe starting July 30 in Bulawayo, the country’s cricket board announced on Monday.

Fischer, a fast bowler, will accompany Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke, and Jacob Duffy in the pace department. Pacer Ben Sears was ruled out due to a side injury which will require further two to four weeks to recover.

Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, and Michael Bracewell made themselves unavailable for the Test series.

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“Jamieson made himself unavailable as he awaits the birth of his first child. Williamson also made himself unavailable as he manages his playing commitments, while Bracewell was unavailable due to his commitments at The Hundred – which was previously agreed and factored into his NZC central contract,” the release said.

Spinner Ajaz Patel returns to the squad for the first time since New Zealand’s historic series win against India last year. Henry Nicholls too gets a call up for the first time since 2023.

The two Tests won’t be part of the World Test Championship cycle.

New Zealand Test squad: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young