Left-handed batsman George Worker has been added to the New Zealand squad for the first Test this summer against West Indies in place of fast bowler Tim Southee, who is expecting the birth of his first child. Yesterday, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was also drafted into the squad for the first Test with raising speculations over Southee’s availability.
“Obviously there are things more important than cricket and we support Tim and his decision to stay with his family right now. George will join the Test squad for the first time on the back of his form in First Class cricket over the past couple of seasons,” selector Gavin Larsen was heard saying.
Worker has been in tremendous form in the domestic circuit scoring 737 runs with an average of 49.13. To wear the whites, he has donned the New Zealand jersey in limited overs game, making his T20 debut against Zimbabwe in 2015.
Wicket-keeper-batsman Tom Blundell is also set to make his debut in place of BJ Watling.
“Closer to the time, like Thursday, I’d probably get a few more nerves. At the moment, I’m just treating it like another game, as cliched as it sounds,” Blundell stated ahead of his debut.
Playing primarily on slow pitches in Zimbabwe, West Indies have practised with only one warm-up game. Three days ahead of the first Test on December 1, the Basin Reserve deck in Wellington was covered with grass, almost indifferent from the rest of the outfield.