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A spin-heavy New Zealand Test squad featuring the return of Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner has been selected for a two-Test series in Bangladesh starting later this month.
Having scored three century in the World Cup, Ravindra is back for his first assignment in whites since the opening Test match at Bay Oval against Bangladesh in January 2022.
With spin friendly conditions expected in Bangladesh, the squad has been selected accordingly.
Santner returns to the side having played the last of his 24 Tests in 2021 against England at Lord’s, and joins Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi as the front-line spinners.
Blackcaps selector Sam Wells said the squad was picked very much with the touring conditions in mind.
“We’ve selected a squad we think can compete and succeed in Bangladesh,” said Wells.
Kyle Jamieson also makes a welcome return to the Test squad after undergoing back-surgery in February, joining captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry in a three-man pace attack.
Only two players from the squad, Kane Williamson and Ish Sodhi were featured last time Bangladesh hosted the visitors in a Test series in 2013. The two-match series was drawn 0-0.
New Zealand Test squad vs Bangladesh
Tim Southee (c),Tom Blundell (wk),Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Test series
Two-day warm-up match – 23-24 November - Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
1st Test – 28 November – 2 December - Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
2nd Test – 6-10 December - Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
