NZ vs Eng – Kane Williamson’s return creates ‘selection headaches’ for NZ

As the New Zealand Test squad reconvened at the Hagley Oval, three weeks on from a remarkable 3-0 win in India, they welcomed a familiar face back in their ranks.

Will Young’s stellar turn as Williamson’s understudy in India – Player of the Series with 244 runs – has presented a conundrum. One which, on the face of it, has an easy if cold-hearted solution. Nevertheless, Stead wants time to talk things through with skipper Tom Latham.

“Obvious Kane will come back into the side,” Stead said. “He’s a superb player as we know and that creates some selection headaches for Tom and I to get our heads around in the next day or so.

“Kane is one of the best in the world, so he will be playing somewhere in that line-up. It’s just how we manage to shape the rest of the team around that.”

Stead ceded the rest of the team is a formality given the pitch is expected to play to type. “Going on traditional Hagley wickets, I imagine there’ll be four seamers out there.” The identity of the fourth remains up in the air, with Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy battling it out to join Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and the retiring Tim Southee.

New Zealand are identifiable favourites to take this series – with the onus on winning 3-0 to make their second WTC final in three cycles. And following their success in India, a second title could well be on the cards.

“[I am] Sure it’s going to be a cracker of a Test series. We’re going to see some fireworks I would suggest.”