New Zealand announces replacement for first Test against Zimbabwe, includes this player

Michael Bracewell made his Test debut in 2022. He has taken 24 wickets and scored 259 runs in 8 Test matches so far. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said that Michael Bracewell has been included in the Test squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe due to Glenn Phillips' injury.

Walter said, "Glenn's injury has left a vacancy in the Test team and Michael is the closest to replacing him. Michael's experience and skill will prove to be very useful for us and will help us maintain the same balance in the team as before." After the conclusion of the T20 tri-series of South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Harare, Zimbabwe and New Zealand will play a two-Test series in Bulawayo from July 30.

Walter further said, "Since he is here with the T20 team and his availability for the first Test is assured, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to include him in the team. We will perform well in the first Test match and then decide whether to include him in the team for the second Test or not." The first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will be played in Bulawayo from July 30 to August 3. The second Test will be played in Bulawayo from August 7 to August 11.