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Blackcaps squad named for Test tour to England & Ireland
Sport Nation • May 7th, 2026 5:00 am
Photo: Photosport
The Blackcaps have bolstered their pace stocks with the return of spearheads Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke for upcoming Tests against Ireland and England, while Central Districts batter Dean Foxcroft has earned a maiden call-up.
The quicks headline a strong seam-bowling group, with Matt Henry, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner also included across the tours.
Michael Rae and uncapped Northern Districts all-rounder Kristian Clarke have been named for the Ireland Test only, while Ben Sears joins the England tour as a travelling reserve.
Jacob Duffy will miss the series on paternity leave, while Kane Williamson returns to the extended squad after last featuring in December’s series against the West Indies.
Foxcroft’s selection caps a strong domestic season and recent white-ball form, with the 28-year-old describing the call-up as a “dream come true”.
“I was blown away,” Foxcroft said. “It’s quite surreal.
“From a young age you dream about playing Test cricket or even just to be in a Test squad - so I’m buzzing and I can’t wait.”
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The Test series marks the start of a busy World Test Championship cycle for New Zealand, with coach Rob Walter highlighting the importance of the upcoming stretch of red-ball cricket.
“To be able to test ourselves against some of the very best Test teams in the world is an exciting challenge and with the added carrot of the fourth edition of the World Test Championship,” he said.
“I know it’s something the players and staff alike have been looking forward to for some time and we’re determined to meet the opportunity head on.”
Jamieson returns to Test cricket for the first time since a back stress fracture in early 2024, while O’Rourke is back after his own injury layoff and Sears is in line for a potential return to the format.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell made himself unavailable for these tours, expressing his desire to step back from Test cricket and focus his time on his young family and limited-overs cricket.
Daryl Mitchell is on track to be fully fit for the tour after recently returning home from the Pakistan Super League with a calf injury.
Mitchell Santner will remain in New Zealand to rehabilitate his shoulder injury and could potentially join the reunite with the squad, progress pending.
The Blackcaps face Ireland in Belfast from May 27 before a three-Test series in England, with matches at Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge in June.
Blackcaps Test squad to Ireland and England:
Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Kristian Clarke (IRE only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (IRE only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (16th travelling reserve for ENG, plus IRE), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (IRE only).
Blackcaps Test tour schedule:
Test vs Ireland – May 27-30 – Stormont, Belfast
1st Test vs England – June 4-8 – Lord’s, London
2nd Test vs England – June 17-21 – The Kia Oval, London
3rd Test vs England – June 25-29 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
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