Taylor to miss Hamilton Test as Kiwis name unchanged squad

Johannesburg [South Africa], Mar.20 : Ross Taylor, who missed the Wellington Test of the ongoing three-match series against South Africa due to a calf injury, will continue to remain out of action as New Zealand have named the 13-man unchanged squad for the final match beginning March 25 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

However, strike bowler Trent Boult, who was ruled out of the second Test with a sore leg, is looking likely to make a comeback in Hamilton.

Boult and Taylor were injured during the drawn first Test in Dunedin and consequently forced to miss their eight-wicket second Test defeat at the hands of the Proteas at the Basin Reserve, which folded inside three days on Saturday.

Despite suffering a comprehensive loss, chief selector Gavin Larsen confirmed that the squad would remain unchanged for the final game of the three-match.

"We've decided to go with the same unit. We've got 100 percent faith in the fact we think we've got the best group of test cricketers in the country and we've got a test match to win in Hamilton," Sports24 quoted Larsen as saying.

However, left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner is expected to replace either of the all-rounders Jimmy Neesham or Colin de Grandhomme.

The New Zealand squad is as follows: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Neil Broom, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry.

Source: ANI