Kane Williamson and Nathan Smith return to New Zealand’s ODI squad for England series

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New Zealand Cricket has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, marking the much-anticipated return of captain Kane Williamson and talented all-rounder Nathan Smith. Their inclusion strengthens the Blackcaps’ lineup as they prepare for a challenging series starting later this month.

Williamson, who missed the ongoing T20I series due to a minor medical concern, is set to add solidity to the batting core . Head coach Rob Walter expressed excitement over his comeback, emphasizing Williamson’s influence both on and off the field. “We all know what Kane means to New Zealand – to have his skill, experience and leadership back in the group is fantastic,” Walter noted.

All-rounder Nathan Smith also makes a welcome return after recovering from an abdominal injury sustained during the second Test against Zimbabwe in August. His versatility with bat and ball offers New Zealand greater flexibility in team selection. Smith’s return further deepens the Blackcaps’ pool of all-round options, a critical element in modern ODI cricket.

The squad retains a solid batting foundation with Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young forming the heart of the lineup. On the bowling front, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy lead the pace attack, while Zak Foulkes is the only player without prior Champions Trophy experience. His selection reflects New Zealand’s commitment to grooming future talent.

Coach Walter highlighted the broader goal behind this series, mentioning: “This is very much the start of our journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2027 and I know the group are excited to get going in this series against a quality England side.” The Blackcaps currently hold the No. 2 ranking in ODIs and will aim to consolidate their position with strong performances against a formidable English side.

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The series kicks off in Tauranga on October 26, followed by matches in Hamilton on October 29 and Wellington on November 1. Several key players – including Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), and Glenn Phillips (groin) – remain sidelined due to injuries, giving opportunities for other squad members to step up.

Mitchell Santner (captain), Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

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