After the scintillating show at the ICC World Cup 2019, New Zealand has now turned their attention to the upcoming World Test Championship which will begin next month as they play Sri Lanka. New Zealand and Sri Lanka open their World Test Championship campaign with the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on August 14 and the second Test will be played on August 22 at the P Sara Oval in Colombo. Sri Lanka is currently playing a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh and has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With this, the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson on Monday shared his look wearing the new Test jersey with name and number on it. The name and number on the Test jersey are an initiative by the ICC to help fans connect with the players a little more. Kane took to Instagram posted a picture with teammate Trent Boult and captioned it, "new look".
Here's the Instagram post:Â
Meanwhile, New Zealand has included four spinners in the side for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka which will begin in August. Ajaz Patel, William Somerville, Todd Astle and Mitchell Santner are the four spinners included in the side. The inclusion of the four spinners means there is no place for the likes of Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, who had impressive World Cup campaigns. Speaking about the inclusion of the four spinners, coach Gary Stead remarked it was a case of horses for courses while determining the team composition.
"Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer. It's good timing for us after the World Cup. It was an incredible time for the team and the country, but we're now excited to move forward as a group and sink our teeth into another opportunity," Stead remarked.
New Zealand Test squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Will Somerville, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult
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