New Zealand in Zimbabwe for two match Test series

New Zealand Test squad arrived in New Zealand for a two-match Test series. There was a lot of speculation of whether the New Zealand will take part in this tour and thus brought an end to it.

The 15-man New Zealand squad led by Kane Williamson had undergone a conditioning camp in South Africa which lasted for a week. And they are now in Harare for a three-day warm-up fixture starting on July 22.

“It’s nice to finally be here. We had a good tour here last year, so I’m sure it will be much the same,” Tom Latham, the New Zealand opener, said upon arrival in Harare. “It was a good week of preparation for us in South Africa.”

He said the entire team is completely fit and is looking forward to winning the series. “It was good to catch up with the guys. We want to win every game like we do on most tours.  It’s nice to have everyone back, everyone is fully fit. We’ll get the warm-up game out of the way and then focus on the two Tests.”

Also Read – Mike Hussey optimistic ahead of Sri Lanka Test series

Earlier, New Zealand cricket had said that they were monitoring the security situation in Zimbabwe this month, after the nationwide strike to protest the lack of jobs and unpaid wages. There were a lot of other strikes featuring in the drought-hit country in the likes of civil servants, doctors, and teachers.

After the practice match on July 22, New Zeland will take on the host for the first Test match on July 28, and the second Test match on August 6. Both Tests will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Mark Craig, Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk)