Despite having played his last three Tests nearly two years ago, the 23-year-old—who has three centuries at the World Cup—joins a spin-heavy squad for the matches in Sylhet and Dhaka.
Rachin Ravindra, an all-rounder from New Zealand, has been called up to the team for their two-Test tour of Bangladesh in November and December as a reward for his excellent white-ball performance at the World Cup.
Despite having played his final three Tests nearly two years ago, the 23-year-old—who has three hundreds at the World Cup—joins a spin-heavy squad for the matches in Sylhet and Dhaka.
While Ravindra and fellow all-rounder Glenn Phillips provide extra options for slow bowling, left-armer Mitchell Santner has won a comeback two years after his last Test to join Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi as the specialist spinners.
Along with Matt Henry and captain Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, who underwent back surgery in February, is one of the squad’s three quicks. Trent Boult withdrew from the series, with New Zealand making their first visit to Bangladesh in a decade.
Selector Sam Wells stated in a press release, “We’ve selected a squad we think can compete and succeed in Bangladesh.”
“With Ajaz, Ish, Mitch, Glenn and Rachin, we have a strong spin group that will offer good variety and options during the series.”
After the World Cup, Gary Stead will return to New Zealand to get ready for the home summer, leaving Luke Ronchi as the team’s coach.
On November 28, the first Test will begin at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
