New Zealand Announces Test Squad for Ireland and England Tours

New Zealand's Test Squad for Upcoming Tours

Wellington [New Zealand], May 7: New Zealand has made significant changes to their Test squad, recalling fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and William O’Rourke for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England. Additionally, uncapped allrounder Dean Foxcroft has received his first call-up in a 19-member squad revealed by New Zealand Cricket.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, former captain Kane Williamson is also part of the squad as New Zealand gears up for a one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast on May 27, followed by a three-match series in England starting June 4 at Lord's.

This four-day Test in Belfast will mark New Zealand's inaugural Test match on Irish soil and will not contribute to the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

Jamieson is making his return to the Test team after more than two years, having recovered from a back stress fracture sustained in early 2024. The tall fast bowler has been cautiously managed since his recovery and participated in limited domestic red-ball matches for Canterbury during the Plunket Shield season.

O’Rourke is also making a comeback after a lengthy absence due to a back injury, recently returning to competitive cricket during New Zealand A and ODI matches.

New Zealand's head coach Rob Walter has named an expanded pace-bowling group that includes Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith, and Blair Tickner. Sears, Kristian Clarke, and Michael Rae will only participate in the Ireland Test, which is outside the World Test Championship cycle.

Batter Henry Nicholls has rejoined the squad following an impressive domestic season with Canterbury, while Foxcroft's consistent performances in domestic cricket and on the recent white-ball tour of Bangladesh earned him a spot.

Notably, New Zealand will be without allrounder Michael Bracewell, who has chosen to step away from red-ball cricket, and pacer Jacob Duffy, who is missing the tour due to the impending birth of his first child.

The series against England will also feature the second edition of the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, which was introduced in 2024 to honor Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe.

New Zealand Test squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Kristian Clarke (Ireland Test only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (Ireland Test only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (Ireland Test and traveling reserve for England Tests), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (Ireland Test only).