Kane Williamson and Nathan Smith return to New Zealand ODI squad for England series

New Zealand Cricket has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, marking the much-anticipated return of the captain. Kane Williamson and the talented all-rounder Nathan Smith. Their inclusion strengthens the Blackcaps roster as they prepare for a tough series which begins later this month.

Williamson, who missed the ongoing T20I series due to a minor medical issue, is set to add strength to the batting core. Head coach Rob Walter expressed his excitement over his return, highlighting Williamson’s influence on and off the field. “We all know what Kane means to New Zealand – having his skills, experience and leadership back in the squad is fantastic,” Walter noted.

Nathan Smith’s return strengthens balance in New Zealand’s ODI squad

All-rounder Nathan Smith also makes a welcome return after recovering from an abdominal injury suffered during the second Test against Zimbabwe in August. His versatility with bat and ball gives New Zealand greater flexibility in team selection. Smith’s return further deepens the Blackcaps’ pool of all-round options, a vital part of modern ODI cricket.

The team maintains a strong batting foundation with Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young forming the core of the lineup. On the bowling side, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy lead the fast-paced attack, while Zak Foulkes is the only player without prior Champions Trophy experience. His selection reflects New Zealand’s commitment to developing future talent.

Coach Walter highlighted the larger goal of this series, mentioning: “This really is the start of our journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2027 and I know the group is excited to embark on this series against a quality English team.” The Blackcaps currently sit second in the ODI rankings and will aim to consolidate their position with a strong performance against a formidable English side.

Also READ: Kane Williamson replaces Zaheer Khan as strategic advisor to Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026

Players absent due to injuries

The series begins in Tauranga on October 26, followed by matches in Hamilton on October 29 and Wellington on November 1. Several key players – including Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) and Glenn Phillips (groin) – remain sidelined with injuries, giving other members of the team room to pick up the slack.

New Zealand’s ODI squad for England series

Mitchell Santner (captain), Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

ALSO READ: What is a casual gaming agreement? Kane Williamson signs new deal with New Zealand Cricket to play in 2026 T20 World Cup