New Zealand recall star all-rounder for West Indies Test
The inaugural World Test Championship winners have named a 14-player squad for the second Test against the West Indies with a host of first-choice players missing through injury.
New Zealand have called up experienced all-rounder Glenn Phillips to their squad for the second ICC World Test Championship contest against the West Indies in Wellington.
Phillips hasn't played for his country since he featured in the ICC Champions Trophy at the start of the year, with the 29-year-old battling a groin complaint in recent times and only returning to action at first-class level in New Zealand at the end of last month.
Best of Glenn Phillips | Champions Trophy 2025
Best of Glenn Phillips | Champions Trophy 2025
But with a host of first-choice players ruled out of the series due to injury, Phillips has won a recall to the Kiwis' squad and is in line to make his first Test appearance since he played in the third Test against England in Hamilton in December last year.
Phillips' return highlights the new-look New Zealand 14-player squad, with regulars Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Tom Blundell and Mitchell Santner all missing due to injury and a total of three debutants in line to make their debut.
Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay will be the first wicket-keeper to make a Test debut for New Zealand since 2017 🤝
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 9, 2025
The full XI will be released at the toss before the start of the Test tomorrow morning.
The second Tegel Test starts tomorrow morning at 11am at the Basin Reserve here… pic.twitter.com/Izp8g3EILX
Keeper Mitch Hay looks certain to play his first Test with Blundell sidelined, while uncapped pace duo Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae could also come under consideration to partner left-armer Jacob Duffy.
New Zealand coach Rob Walter believes both Clarke and Rae deserved their call-up and is excited by what the pair may produce should they win selection.
“Kristian and Michael are both identified players of interest with great ability, and have both been good performers for their domestic sides over the past few years," Walter said.
“They both have good skill with the red-ball, and there’s a great opportunity for them to show that skill for us at the highest level of the game.”
The day New Zealand became the WTC21 Champions
Full Match Highlights: The key moments from the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 as New Zealand beat India to secure their first WTC mace
New Zealand and West Indies drew the first Test in Christchurch after the Caribbean side managed to bat out the entire final day.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields
Series schedule:
First Test: December 2-6, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (Match Drawn)
Second Test: December 10-14, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Third Test: December 18-22, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
