Cricket: Tim Southee, Kane Williamson in line to play 100th tests as Blackcaps squad to face Australia named

Blackcaps captain Tim Southee and senior batter Kane Williamson are both in line to reach special milestones after being named in New Zealand's 14-man test squad to face Australia.

Both sitting on 98 tests, the pair will raise their respective centuries – provided they feature in both games of the two-match series.

Should the pair both play the series opener at Wellington's Basin Reserve, Southee and Williamson will become the fifth and sixth Blackcaps to play 100 tests when they take the field at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.

Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor are the only other New Zealanders to reach the milestone.

"To play 100 tests for your country is an incredible achievement," said coach Gary Stead

"It takes a huge amount of longevity and skill, and to keep improving and to manage the demands of Test cricket over a long period of time is a testament to their character.

"Tim and Kane continue to be brilliant servants of the game in New Zealand and influential figures in the Blackcaps environment.

"Their achievements at test level speak for themselves and they are undoubtedly two of the greatest players to have ever worn the New Zealand Test shirt."

Elsewhere, Northern Districts bowling all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn has been recalled to the squad, after making his test debut against England last year.

The 32-year-old endured a chastening first taste of test cricket in 2023, when he took 4/161 in the match as McCullum's England claimed a 267-run victory at Mt Maunganui.

But a season-ending stress fracture for Kyle Jamieson has seen Kuggeleijn recalled, after topping the wicket charts in this season's Plunket Shield, with 22 at an average of 16.40 in eight innings.

Daryl Mitchell has also been named, after missing the Blackcaps' second test victory over South Africa and three match T20 series against Australia to rehabilitate a foot injury.

Despite being named in the T20 squad, Trent Boult was not considered, due to a lack of match fitness in red ball cricket. 

Blackcaps squad: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Blackcaps captain Tim Southee and senior batter Kane Williamson are both in line to reach special milestones after being named in New Zealand's 14-man test squad to face Australia.

Both sitting on 98 tests, the pair will raise their respective centuries – provided they feature in both games of the two-match series.

Should the pair both play the series opener at Wellington's Basin Reserve, Southee and Williamson will become the fifth and sixth Blackcaps to play 100 tests when they take the field at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.

Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor are the only other New Zealanders to reach the milestone.

"To play 100 tests for your country is an incredible achievement," said coach Gary Stead

"It takes a huge amount of longevity and skill, and to keep improving and to manage the demands of Test cricket over a long period of time is a testament to their character.

"Tim and Kane continue to be brilliant servants of the game in New Zealand and influential figures in the Blackcaps environment.

"Their achievements at test level speak for themselves and they are undoubtedly two of the greatest players to have ever worn the New Zealand Test shirt."

Elsewhere, Northern Districts bowling all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn has been recalled to the squad, after making his test debut against England last year.

The 32-year-old endured a chastening first taste of test cricket in 2023, when he took 4/161 in the match as McCullum's England claimed a 267-run victory at Mt Maunganui.

But a season-ending stress fracture for Kyle Jamieson has seen Kuggeleijn recalled, after topping the wicket charts in this season's Plunket Shield, with 22 at an average of 16.40 in eight innings.

Daryl Mitchell has also been named, after missing the Blackcaps' second test victory over South Africa and three match T20 series against Australia to rehabilitate a foot injury.

Despite being named in the T20 squad, Trent Boult was not considered, due to a lack of match fitness in red ball cricket. 

Blackcaps squad: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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