New Zealand have unveiled a strong and expanded squad for their upcoming red-ball tour of Ireland and England, with the return of star fast bowlers emerging as one of the biggest talking points. The Black Caps are set to begin their tour later this month with a one-off Test against Ireland before travelling to England for a three-match series that will play a key role in their World Test Championship campaign.

Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke return to red-ball setup

The pace duo of Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have made their comeback in the red-ball setup. The return of Jamieson is a major boost for New Zealand’s Test ambitions. The tall pacer has not featured in Test cricket since February 2024 after battling a troublesome back stress fracture that kept him out of action for an extended period. Despite the long absence, his impact in the format remains unquestionable, with the right-arm quick claiming 80 wickets in just 19 Tests at an exceptional average.

Similarly, O’Rourke also makes his comeback after recovering from an injury setback that ruled him out for several months. The 24-year-old impressed during his rise through the national setup and already has 39 wickets from only 11 Test appearances. His return adds further depth and variety to New Zealand’s pace arsenal.

Head coach Rob Walter expressed delight at having his frontline fast bowlers available again ahead of a busy Test calendar. He praised Jamieson’s hard work during rehabilitation and highlighted O’Rourke’s ability to trouble batters with his pace and bounce. Another notable inclusion is uncapped all-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who has earned his maiden Test call-up following consistent performances in domestic cricket and impressive outings in Bangladesh. Foxcroft admitted the selection came as a surprise and described
the opportunity as a dream come true.

Tom Latham to lead star-studded unit

Veteran opener Tom Latham will captain the side, while Tom Blundell has been named the primary wicketkeeper. The squad also features several experienced campaigners, including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell is expected to recover in time despite recently leaving the Pakistan Super League early with a calf concern. Meanwhile, Jacob Duffy was unavailable for selection as he prepares for the birth of his first child. Michael Bracewell has opted out of Test cricket commitments for now in order to focus on white-ball cricket and spend time with family.

Several IPL-bound players, including Jamieson, Ravindra and Phillips, will join the squad once their franchise duties conclude later this month.

Further, the selectors have placed significant emphasis on pace resources, naming a large group of seamers for the demanding overseas conditions. Experienced names like Matt Henry, Blair Tickner and Nathan Smith have been included alongside emerging options such as Zak Foulkes and Ben Sears.

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New Zealand squad for Ireland and England tours

Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Kristian Clarke (Ireland only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (Ireland only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson and Will Young.

Notably, New Zealand’s tour will begin with a four-day Test against Ireland in Belfast from May 27. Following that fixture, the Black Caps will head to England for the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, featuring Tests at Lord’s Cricket Ground, The Oval and Trent Bridge. The series marks the beginning of a crucial stretch in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with New Zealand currently sitting second on the table. The Black Caps are also scheduled to face India, Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the coming months as they aim to secure another shot at the WTC final.

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