The New Zealand cricket team has been hit by another major setback, adding more problems to an already difficult situation in the ongoing three-match Test series against the West Indies at home. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the second Test after injuring his hamstring while batting in the first Test in Christchurch last week.
They are already facing several key absences. Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Mitchell Santner have all been ruled out of the remainder of the series with calf, side and groin injuries respectively. Now, Tom Blundell is unavailable for the second Test against West Indies.
New injury hits New Zealand as Tom Blundell ruled out of second Test
Injuries to Henry, Smith and Santner forced New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to call on all-rounder Kristian Clarke and fast bowler Michael Rae to replace them. However, they have not named Nathan Smith’s replacement for the ongoing home Test series.
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With Tom Blundell ruled out of the second Test, Mitchell Hay received his first Test call-up on 9 December. The 25-year-old keeper-batsman is now set to make his Test debut at Basin Reserves on December 10 against the Caribbean side.
NZC confirm Mitchell Hay’s Test debut against West Indies
The NZC said in an official statement on Tuesday: “Tom Blundell has been ruled out of Tegel’s second Test against the West Indies starting tomorrow, Wednesday 10 December, at Wellington Basin Reserves. Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay is set to be the first wicketkeeper to make his Test debut for New Zealand since 2017.”
Canterbury’s Mitchell Hay will be the first wicketkeeper to make his Test debut for New Zealand since 2017 🤝
The full XI will be released in the draw before the start of the Test tomorrow morning.
The second Tegel test starts tomorrow morning at 11am in the basin reserve here… pic.twitter.com/Izp8g3EILX
-BLACK CAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 9, 2025
Mitchell Hay has already played 12 T20Is and 7 ODIs for the Black Caps. However, he is not only a white-ball prospect but has also built a strong reputation in first-class cricket. The Canterbury star has so far scored 1895 runs in 29 matches at an excellent average of 48.58. He has already reached 17 fifty-one centuries with the highest score of 146 in first-class cricket.
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The Kiwi team management is happy to have Hay in the Test squad, especially at a time when the team needs fresh energy and reliable performances after the West Indies fought mightily to deny them a victory in the Christchurch Test.
Rob Walter hails 3 uncapped stars for Wellington Test debut
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said, as quoted by the NZC website, “Mitch is a young cricketer who has already contributed well to the white-ball team. He also has an excellent record at first-class level with Canterbury. Seeing him join a Test team is a great moment in his career, and we are really excited to see him play his part.”
Regarding the inclusion of Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae, Walter said: “Both Kristian and Michael are identified players of interest with great ability and have both been good players for their national teams over the last few years. They both have good skills with the red ball, and there is a great opportunity for them to showcase those skills for us at the highest level of the game.”
New Zealand’s updated Test squad:
Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
