The New Zealand cricket team has been hit by another major setback, adding more trouble to an already difficult situation in the ongoing three-match Test series against the West Indies at home. Star wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the second Test after hurting his hamstring while batting in the first Test in Christchurch last week.
They are already dealing with several key absences. Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Mitchell Santner have all been ruled out of the rest of the series because of calf, side, and groin injuries, respectively. Now, Tom Blundell is unavailable for the second Test against the West Indies.
Fresh injury blow rocks New Zealand as Tom Blundell ruled out of second Test
Henry, Smith, and Santner’s injuries forced the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to bring in all-rounder Kristian Clarke and fast bowler Michael Rae as their replacements. However, they have not named Nathan Smith’s replacement for the ongoing home Test series.
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With Tom Blundell ruled out of the second Test, Mitchell Hay was handed his maiden Test call-up on December 9. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is now set to make his Test debut at the Basin Reserve on December 10 against the Caribbean side.
NZC confirms Mitchell Hay’s Test debut against West Indies
The NZC said in an official statement on Tuesday: “Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the second Tegel Test v the West Indies starting tomorrow, Wednesday, 10 December, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay is set to be the first wicket-keeper to make a Test debut for New Zealand since 2017.”
Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay will be the first wicket-keeper to make a Test debut for New Zealand since 2017
The full XI will be released at the toss before the start of the Test tomorrow morning.
The second Tegel Test starts tomorrow morning at 11am at the Basin Reserve here… pic.twitter.com/Izp8g3EILX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 9, 2025
Mitchell Hay has already played 12 T20Is and 7 ODIs for the Black Caps. However, he is not just a white-ball prospect, but he has also built a strong name for himself in first-class cricket. The Canterbury star has so far scored 1895 runs in 29 matches at an excellent average of 48.58. He has already hit 17 fifties and a century with the highest score of 146 in first-class cricket.
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The Kiwi team management is happy to have Hay in the Test squad, especially at a time when the side needs fresh energy and reliable performances after the West Indies fought hard to deny them a victory in the Christchurch Test.
Rob Walter hails 3 uncapped stars set for Test debut in Wellington
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter stated, as quoted by the NZC website, “Mitch is a young cricketer who’s already contributed well to the white-ball side. He also has an excellent record at the first-class level with Canterbury. Having him come into a Test squad is a great moment in his career, and we’re really excited to see him play his part.”
On Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae’s inclusion, Walter stated, “Kristian and Michael are both identified players of interest with great ability and have both been good performers for their domestic sides over the past few years. They both have good skill with the red ball, and there’s a great opportunity for them to show that skill for us at the highest level of the game.”
New Zealand’s updated Test squad:
Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
