Seamers Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have recovered from injuries and been included in New Zealand’s squad for next month’s Test series in England, as well as the one-off Test against Ireland, strengthening their pace attack.
Jamieson, the 31-year-old towering quick, has been sidelined from Test cricket since 2024 due to back problems. O’Rourke, also a tall fast bowler at 24, last played in August after suffering a back stress fracture.
Batter Kane Williamson, who last appeared for the Black Caps in December after opting for a casual contract to pursue franchise opportunities, has also been named in the squad.
Spinner Mitchell Santner is absent after sustaining a shoulder injury during the Indian Premier League, though New Zealand remain hopeful he could feature later in the England series. Seamer Jacob Duffy is unavailable due to the birth of his first child, while spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell has stepped back from Test cricket and is not included.
New Zealand will play a four-day match in Belfast starting 27 May, followed by a three-Test series against Ben Stokes’ England beginning at Lord’s on 4 June. This will be England’s first Tests since their 4-1 Ashes defeat, and the return of Jamieson and O’Rourke means England’s struggling batting line-up from Australia will face a severe test.
The Black Caps’ pace options also include Matt Henry, Blair Tickner—who took eight wickets in two ODIs against England last year—and Zak Foulkes, who claimed four wickets in the first match of that series.
Before his injury, Jamieson had taken 80 wickets in just 19 Tests, while O’Rourke has 39 wickets in 11 Tests, including 10 against England in 2024.
Another seamer, Ben Sears, is part of the squad for the Ireland match and will tour England as a traveling reserve. Off-spin bowling all-rounder Dean Foxcroft earns his first call-up.
**New Zealand squad for Ireland and England Tests:**
Tom Latham (captain), 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 (Ireland only), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
