Wagner replaces Henry in New Zealand Test squad for Bangladesh tour

Following a hamstring injury sustained during the World Cup game against South Africa on November 1, Henry was initially expected to recover in time for the Tests in Bangladesh. However, subsequent scans and assessments revealed that his injury had not sufficiently healed, leading to his exclusion from the upcoming matches.

Expressing optimism about the replacement, Sam Wells, New Zealand’s selector, commented on Neil Wagner’s addition to the squad for the Bangladesh tour. He emphasized Wagner’s skill, experience, and competitive spirit, highlighting his previous performances in the sub-continent.

Wagner, 37, returned to action for Northern Districts after missing two rounds of the ongoing Plunkett Shield due to a back injury. Despite not being part of the initial spin-heavy squad selected for the Bangladesh tour, his inclusion brings a wealth of experience, especially considering his last Test appearance against Sri Lanka in March.

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The first Test against Bangladesh marks the beginning of New Zealand’s journey in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle from 2023-25. Wagner concluded the previous WTC cycle with an impressive tally of 18 wickets.

As the majority of the New Zealand squad, which also featured in the World Cup in India, undergoes recovery in Dubai before heading to Sylhet next week, the other players bound for Bangladesh will depart on November 21. The opening Test is scheduled to commence on November 28 in Sylhet.

The updated squad for the Bangladesh tour includes: Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Neil Wagner.