Santner and Ravindra are back as New Zealand names a Test team strong on spin for their trip to Bangladesh

Mitchell Santner, a left-arm spinner, was called up to the Test team on Tuesday after serving as a member for over two years. The New Zealand selectors have chosen a spin-heavy team for the two-match series that will start in Bangladesh later this month.

Santner joins Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi as the starting spinners. He played the last of his 24 Test matches against England at Lord’s in June 2021.

In addition, off-spinning all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra made a comeback to increase their spin options after stellar results at the present World Cup in India.

In eight World Cup matches, Ravindra has amassed 523 runs, including three hundreds, and taken three wickets. He is playing at an incredible level right now.

At the Test match against Bangladesh at Bay Oval in January of last year, he last appeared in whites. While Phillips, who visited Pakistan in December and January, has been included to the touring Test team once again.

Fit once again After having back surgery in February, Kyle Jamieson, who played a key role in their victory in the 2021 World Test Championship, also made a comeback by combining with captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry in a three-pronged speed assault.

In only 16 Tests, the 28-year-old Jamieson has taken 72 wickets, and in their 2021 World Test Championship victory against India, he was voted Player of the Match.

“We have a strong spin group that will provide good variety and options throughout the series,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) cited Black Caps selector Sam Wells as saying.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 28 in Sylhet, while the second Test is scheduled to begin on December 6 in Dhaka.

With a coaching staff headed by Luke Ronchi, the series will begin the Black Caps’ third cycle of the WTC.

Gary Stead, the regular head coach, will return home after the World Cup in India.

Team:

Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Will Young. Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), and Kyle Jamieson make up the team.