Overview
- New Zealand confirmed a 14‑player group led by Tom Latham, with Williamson back after missing the Zimbabwe Tests and recent white‑ball matches.
- Fast bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Blair Tickner were included, with Foulkes rewarded for 9 for 75 on debut in Zimbabwe and Tickner coming off strong ODI form.
- Daryl Mitchell was selected after recovering from a minor groin strain sustained in the opening ODI against West Indies.
- Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Phillips were not considered for the first Test as they build match fitness, while Matt Fisher, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears remain unavailable through injury.
- The series begins in Christchurch on Dec. 2 before Tests in Wellington on Dec. 10 and Mount Maunganui on Dec. 18, as Williamson tunes up with Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield.