Fisher Earns Maiden New Zealand Test Call-Up Amid Injury Woes and Player Availability Issues

Matt Fisher, the talented pace bowler, has received his first-ever call-up to the New Zealand Test squad. The selection committee announced the 15-member team on Monday, July 7, for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe.

Injuries and player availability have led to some changes in the squad. Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, and Michael Bracewell are unavailable for selection, along with Ben Sears.

Fisher (left) has taken 51 first-class wickets in 14 matches © Getty

Ajaz Patel makes a comeback to the Test squad, his first appearance since his match-winning performance against India in Mumbai last November, which contributed to New Zealand's historic 3-0 series victory. Henry Nicholls also returns to the setup for the first time since December 2023.

Williamson chose to manage his playing schedule, while Bracewell is committed to The Hundred tournament, a prior agreement accounted for in his NZC central contract. Sears is sidelined from both white-ball and red-ball games due to a side injury, requiring two to four weeks of recovery. Jamieson is unavailable due to the impending birth of his first child.

The New Zealand Test squad consists of the following players:

• Tom Latham (C)
• Tom Blundell
• Devon Conway
• Jacob Duffy
• Matt Fisher
• Matt Henry
• Daryl Mitchell
• Henry Nicholls
• Will O'Rourke
• Ajaz Patel
• Glenn Phillips
• Rachin Ravindra
• Mitch Santner
• Nathan Smith
• Will Young

Aside from Fisher, Jacob Duffy is the other uncapped player in the squad, which will be led by Tom Latham. Fisher adds a new dimension to the pace attack, having taken 51 wickets in 14 First-Class matches at an average of 24.11. He played a crucial role in Northern Districts' title-winning run in the 2024-25 Plunket Shield, taking 14 wickets at 17.71 in just three matches before an injury disrupted his season.

Head coach Rob Walter expressed his enthusiasm about Fisher: "Matt's someone we're really excited about. He's one of the fastest bowlers in the country and we think he's got an X-factor. We're blessed to have a large number of strong fast bowlers in this country and we're looking forward to adding Matt into that mix now, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the BLACKCAPS."

Regarding Williamson and Bracewell's absence, Walter stated, "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process. While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry who are both proven performers at Test level."

The Test series will commence four days after the conclusion of the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, featuring the hosts, South Africa, and New Zealand. The first Test begins on July 30, and the second Test starts on August 7, with both matches scheduled to be held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.