NZ vs WI: New Zealand Name Kane Williamson In Squad For Test Series Against West Indies

New Zealand National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline: Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has made his way back into the national side after being included in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming three-match test series against West Indies on Monday. The Black Caps have also brought in pacers Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes to compile a well-rounded pace attack for the series.

Williamson, who has been a mainstay for New Zealand for a long time, has been away from international cricket after opting out of the central contract from the New Zealand Cricket Board. The 35-year-old batter has already rested from the T20I format as he also skipped the one-day international series against the West Indies, which concluded on Saturday with a 3-0 sweep for the Black Caps.

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"Kane's ability on the field speaks for itself and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the test group," coach Rob Walter said of the 35-year-old batter.

"He's had a bit of time off to get himself ready for red-ball cricket."

Daryl Mitchell, who has risen in the ranks in New Zealand cricket, has been named in the squad after recovering from an injury. Notably, Mitchell missed the last two ODI matches with a groin strain he picked up while scoring a century in the series opener.

Tickner, 32, was awarded Man of the Match on two occasions during the ODI series against England in late October and early November. Foulkes, 23, achieved a nine-wicket haul when he and Duffy made their test debuts against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo back in August.

"Both Jacob and Blair have been around a while and know what it takes to perform at the highest level," Walter added.

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"Zak couldn't have performed much better in his first Test against Zimbabwe. That, along with his recent form across the white-ball tours, has rightfully earned him selection."

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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