Kane Williamson ruled out of New Zealand Test series against South Africa

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the two-match Test series against South Africa as he recovers from an elbow injury.

Stead said that, unfortunately, the series had arrived too soon for Williamson, in terms of his elbow injury rehabilitation.

“He [Kane Williamson] was desperate to be fit for the series but with the amount of loading required for Test cricket, we had to make the tough call for him to sit it out and focus on returning for the white ball matches against Netherlands in March,” Coach Gray Stead said.

“Kane loves playing for the Black Caps and especially in Test cricket so it was a particularly hard call. However the priority has to be trying to get the injury right and having him available long term.”

Tom Latham has been named as the stand-in skipper.

Cam Fletcher and Blair Tickner have earned their maiden Test call-ups, while Colin de Grandhomme and Hamish Rutherford have been recalled.

Fletcher will be the back-up gloveman to incumbent wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, while paceman Tickner will provide cover for the quick bowlers.

Tickner has played eight T20 Internationals but joins a Test squad for the first time while this is Fletcher’s first taste of a national team dressing room.

Seven years on from his last appearance for New Zealand, Otago batter Hamish Rutherford has earned a recall.

Coach Gary Stead acknowledged that there were significant challenges in selecting the squad to face South Africa.

“Injuries and COVID have forced us to be flexible and I’m really excited with the squad picked,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate Cam and Blair on making the squad and also acknowledge Hamish and Colin for fighting their way back into the Test set-up.

“Cam has been excellent across the three formats