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New Zealand will commence their two-match Test tour of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, July 30 with the first Test, set to be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. But just hours prior to the Test series, the visiting team has been handed a massive setback as they will be without their skipper and batter Tom Latham.
On Tuesday, July 29, the BlackCaps confirmed the update around Tom Latham. The Kiwi red-ball skipper will sit out as he struggles with a shoulder injury, which he sustained while fielding in a T20 match for Birmingham earlier this month. While it has been significant time till the injury occurred, but New Zealand Cricket confirmed that he will remain in the squad, hoping to get first for the second Test.
Mitchell Santner to lead New Zealand in first Test in Tom Latham’s absence
"It's hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first Test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team," said head coach Rob Walter. "It's never great when you lose your captain, who's a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said we're going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test. We'll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he'll recover in time,” he continued.
Although Latham’s decision comes after the side confirmed Glenn Phillips’ to miss the opening Test due to a groin injury. However, they announced Michael Bracewell as his replacement for the series opener.
On the other hand, the BlackCaps confirmed that all-rounder Mitchell Santner will take the helm in the opening Test of the series, thus becoming New Zealand’s 32nd men’s Test captain. "Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series. He was excellent from a strategy point of view and he has a strong understanding of the game. Whilst the format is different, he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced Test cricketers, so I trust that he's going to do a great job," The Kiwi head coach added.
New Zealand squad for 1st Test vs Zimbabwe
Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Will Young
