New Zealand back high-flying squad for pivotal WTC clash with Sri Lanka
All 13 of the players that were in New Zealand’s squad for the 1-1 series draw with England are now in line to take on Sri Lanka in a Test series that could prove critical to ICC World Test Championship Final qualification.
New Zealand lost the first Test to England by 267 runs and looked set for a similar thumping when forced to follow on in the second Test, but turned it around late in the match to snatch a remarkable one-run victory.
That same group of players led by Tim Southee will now return to take on Sri Lanka in the two-Test series that starts on March 9 in Christchurch.
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While defending champions New Zealand are already out of the running to secure a spot in the WTC Final, Sri Lanka can still eye-off a crucial top-two finish in the WTC Standings.
Sri Lanka will qualify for the WTC Final with a 2-0 Test series whitewash in New Zealand, but only if Australia lose their remaining two Tests in India to tumble out of the top two.
India hold a 2-0 lead in the series against Australia with the third Test currently underway.
New Zealand have also announced that they will play full internationals against the United Arab Emirates for just the second time.
The two teams will meet in three T20Is in August, as New Zealand stop over in the UAE ahead of their white-ball series in England.
New Zealand last played a full international against the UAE in an ODI in Faisalabad, Pakistan after the 1996 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
New Zealand Test squad: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young
**Sri Lanka Test squad:**Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
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