Captain Kane Williamson will miss the second Test of the G.J. Gardner Homes BLACKCAPS Tour of England as he rests his irritated left-elbow.
Williamson has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March and coach Gary Stead said it was still troubling him.
“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” he said.
“He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery.
“The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18.”
Tom Latham will captain the Test side for the third time in Williamson’s absence, while Will Young comes into the starting XI and will bat at number three.
TEAM UPDATES ON DAY 1
Joe Root wins the toss at @Edgbaston and opts to bat first in the second Test. Here's our XI - Latham (c), Conway, Young, Taylor, Nicholls, Blundell (wk), Mitchell, Wagner, Henry, Patel and Boult #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/pyiNKUhOIi
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 10, 2021
TEAM NEWS | BJ Watling is out of the second Test against England in Birmingham, after failing to overcome a sore back. Tom Blundell will come into the XI and take the gloves at @Edgbaston. #ENGvNZ https://t.co/5EWNYdktzF
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 10, 2021