New Zealand's prolific Williamson back for England Test series / Photo: IDREES MOHAMMED - AFP
-
Stocks mixed and oil rises as US, Iran call end to latest attacks
-
EU, China trade tensions loom over minister visit
-
For sale on Facebook: monkeys, rhino horn and dead pangolins
-
Israelis, Palestinians torn over sacred shrine in city of Hebron
-
In Sudan's Kordofan, a key city reels as paramilitary offensive looms
-
Scheffler to face Hovland in Monday playoff for PGA Travelers title
-
Ryu Hae-ran wins Women's PGA Championship
-
'Burnt out' Stokes leaves England facing tricky questions
-
Germany must win to defy World Cup doubters, says Nagelsmann
-
Critical rescue window closing in Venezuela as quake death toll nears 1,500
-
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran wins Women's PGA Championship
-
Canada's Marsch praises history-making World Cup 'heroes'
-
Brazil strike confident tone ahead of Japan World Cup clash
-
Co-hosts Canada beat South Africa to reach World Cup last 16 as knockouts begin
-
Israel detonates tunnel, strikes south Lebanon
-
Putin acknowledges fuel shortages after Ukraine strikes
-
Moriyasu praises 'united' Japan on eve of Brazil World Cup clash
-
Canada reach World Cup last 16 as late strike sinks South Africa
-
Looting, theft in Venezuela's earthquake zone add to tragedy
-
Perry stars as Australia knock India out of World Cup
-
Venezuela quakes kill 1,450, time running out to find survivors
-
Stokes 'content' after extraordinary England exit
-
West Indies beat Sri Lanka in first Test
-
Europe swelters as heatwave moves east
-
Asia's World Cup falls apart with just two teams remaining
-
Stokes announces shock England exit as New Zealand eye series win
-
Bromell upsets Lyles, Duplantis shines at Paris Diamond League
-
CAF president Motsepe hails African World Cup successes
-
Man Utd reveal Ugarte knee injury in Uruguay World Cup defeat
-
South Korea coach quits after early World Cup exit
-
Stokes out for 30 in final Test innings after shock England retirement
-
Venezuela quakes kill 1,400, time running out to find survivors
-
Wolff praises 'cold-blooded' Russell, enjoys Antonelli enthusiasm at Austrian GP
-
Hamilton laments lack of power and poor tyre performance
-
Stokes announces shock England exit as Mitchell bats New Zealand into commanding lead
-
Goals galore at record-breaking World Cup
-
Russell overcomes 'tricky run of form' to revive title bid
-
Augusta Tops Best Gold IRA Companies List By Gold Advisor
-
Europe swelters as heatwave moves east, excess deaths rise
-
They support Argentina at the World Cup, but are not Argentine
-
Raducanu hopes to feature at Wimbledon despite injury woe
-
Iran warns ships not to bypass its chosen Hormuz route
-
Russell holds off Verstappen to win Austrian Grand Prix
-
Serena blasts drug test rules ahead of Wimbledon return
-
England captain Stokes to retire from international cricket
-
Ogier wins Acropolis Rally to close in on Evans
-
South Africa maintain World Cup semi-final hopes with nervy win over Bangladesh
-
South Korea president apologises after World Cup group-stage exit
-
Japan's Ogura wins maiden MotoGP as Bezzecchi crashes in Assen
-
Bergs wins Eastbourne final to clinch first ATP title
New Zealand's prolific Williamson back for England Test series
Prolific batsman Kane Williamson was Friday included in New Zealand's Test squad to face England after missing their recent 3-0 sweep in India with a groin injury.
The former skipper will once again team up with veteran seamer Tim Southee, who will retire from Test cricket after the three match-series starting in Christchurch on November 28.
Williamson is New Zealand's greatest Test run-scorer with 8,881 runs from 102 matches at an average of 54.48.
The Black Caps called up bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith for the first time while uncapped quick Jacob Duffy was also included in the squad.
But Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, was surprisingly overlooked with Mitchell Santner the spin option, backed up by Glenn Phillips.
Ben Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) were not considered.
"It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee only raises it up further," said Black Caps selector Sam Wells.
The triumph in India propelled New Zealand back into contention for next year's World Test Championship final, but even a whitewash of England would not guarantee it.
Ben Stokes' England suffered a 2-1 defeat in Pakistan last month.
"It's also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time," added Wells.
"Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group."
Wells admitted it was tough to leave out Patel, but the decision was made given the expected home conditions and Santner's recent Test form.
The Black Caps are again led by Tom Latham, who took over from Southee last month and led them to what he called one of New Zealand's "greatest series wins" in India.
Following the Christchurch Test, the series moves to Wellington and then Hamilton for Southee's last hurrah.
Test squad: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
J.Gomez--AT