New Zealand opening batsman Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia.
Conway will miss Thursday’s opener in Wellington after hurting his left thumb in a T20I defeat to Australia on Friday in Auckland.
Experienced batsman Henry Nicholls has been recalled as cover for the two-Test series with Will Young moving up the order to open with Tom Latham, captain Tim Southee told reporters.
Young scored an unbeaten 60 batting at No 5 in New Zealand’s second Test victory against South Africa earlier this month to help them a 2-0 series sweep.
It is not known if Conway will be fit for the second Test in Christchurch beginning 8 March.
Southee said he would look at the weather and the pitch conditions before deciding whether to go with an all-seam attack in Wellington, meaning the 32-year-old Scott Kuggeleijn could be in line for a second Test cap.
Southee paid tribute to 37-year-old left-arm pace bowler Neil Wagner, who announced his retirement on Tuesday after being told he would not be in the Test side against Australia.
“He’s a special guy to have in the dressing room, a man who made things happen,” said Southee of the South Africa-born Wagner, who took 260 wickets in 64 Tests.
“You speak to any teammate and they love him to bits for what he does on the field and as a person. He’ll be missed.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins named the same team that lost the second Test at home to the West Indies in the drawn 1-1 series in January.
It means Steve Smith will again open the batting with Usman Khawaja.
“We’re sticking with the same eleven, no surprises,” Cummins told reporters.
New Zealand are seeking a first Test victory over the top-ranked Australia team since 2011.
Australia enjoyed a 3-0 sweep when they hosted the most recent Test series against New Zealand, four years ago.
New Zealand squad: Tim Southee (c), Will Young, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Scott Kuggeleijn, Mitchell Santner, Henry Nicholls.
Australia squad: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
