New Zealand have named a 14-man squad for the two-Test home series against India, with Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Tom Blundell all included despite ongoing injury concerns. The first Test starts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 19 November, with the second at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from 27 November. Tom Latham will captain the side.

Injury concerns ease for key trio

Conway, Ravindra and Blundell are all aiming to be fit for the series opener after missing parts of India’s white-ball tour. Conway suffered a concussion in a collision with pace bowler Matt Henry during training ahead of the one-day series, while Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder while filming a diving catch during a promotional shoot in September and has not played in either the Twenty20 or one-day series against India. Blundell, meanwhile, is recovering from a quadriceps injury and has played just one domestic match since June.

Duffy returns as Williamson era ends

Fast bowler Jacob Duffy is the one new face in the squad, returning after missing the England tour on paternity leave. Ben Sears misses out with an ankle injury, Zak Foulkes with a hip injury, and Will O’Rourke is on a return-to-play programme. Former captain Kane Williamson, who retired from international cricket midway through the England series in June, is also absent. New Zealand won that series in England 2-1.

Walter backs settled group

Head coach Rob Walter said the squad was largely consistent with the team that competed in England earlier this year. “It’ll be great to be back together to try and recreate some of that success on home soil,” he said. New Zealand sit at the top of the World Test Championship standings, and Walter noted there are ten Tests scheduled between now and March, with a four-match series against Australia in December and January followed by two Tests against Sri Lanka in February. The series also marks the start of BJ Watling’s tenure as batting coach, beginning on 16 November.

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.