Tim Southee returns for the 2nd Test against Windies

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee who missed the first Test against West Indies as his wife was due to give birth to his first child. Southee was given a leave from the duty from the first Test. New Zealand completely demolished the West Indies batting in the first Test when seamer Neil Wagner took a 7-for in the first innings as the West Indies collapsed for 134 runs.

New Zealand though scored loads of runs as debutant wicketkeeper Tom Blundell hit a brilliant ton. It was Collin DeGrandhome’s quick-fire century that took the New Zealand’s score to 502. West Indies batters did perform better in the second innings but wickets from all the bowlers meant that they were bundled out for 312 runs, falling short of New Zealand’ first innings score by 67 runs.

Two players released

George Worker and Lockie Ferguson have been released from the side to play in the Ford Cup which starts from 6th of December. Ferguson though will rejoin the squad before the 2nd Test, starting on Saturday at Seddon Park.

The second Test starts from 9th December at the Hamilton and return of Southee will mean that the Blackcaps get stronger. He was the only change in the 13-member squad for the 2nd Test. BJ Watling continues to be out of the squad as he is still not fully recovered from the hip injury. This gives another opportunity to debutant Tom Blundell to make his case even stronger.

Now, It will be interesting to see, If 28-year-old Tim Southee comes back to the playing XI straight away. And If he does so, who gets benched? His replacement, Matt Henry picked 3 wickets for 57 runs in the first Test.

This will be the last Test of the two-match series. West Indies will hope to get back to form and have a different result in the second Test while New Zealand will aim to win the series. After the Test series, Windies play 3 one-dayers and 3 T20I games against the Blackcaps.