New Zealand will be without key players Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the remainder of their three-match Test series against the West Indies, the Black Caps confirmed on Monday. Henry and Smith sustained calf and side-strain injuries, respectively, during the drawn first Test in Christchurch, contributing to New Zealand’s inability to bowl the West Indies out in the fourth innings. Santner missed the match entirely.
Coach Rob Walter is expected to include at least one debutant for the second Test in Wellington, starting Wednesday. Canterbury seamer Michael Rae and Northern Districts quick Kristian Clarke have been called into the squad. Clarke was part of the New Zealand side that whitewashed England 3-0 in the recent one-day series but did not play, while Rae is making his first appearance in a Black Caps squad.
The Black Caps’ other seam options remain Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, both of whom featured in Christchurch, and Blair Tickner.
Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are set to return after missing the first Test, providing a boost to New Zealand’s batting and all-round options ahead of the Wellington clash.
