Kane Williamson is back in the Test squad to face the West Indies

Wellington (AFP) - Kane Williamson returned to New Zealand’s 14-man Test squad named on Monday to face the West Indies in a three-match series next month.

The 35-year-old former captain – New Zealand’s record Test run scorer – retired from T20 internationals earlier this year and sat out the two-Test series away to Zimbabwe in July-August.

“Kane’s ability on the field speaks for itself and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test group,” head coach Rob Walter said.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell was included and is expected to be fit after suffering a minor groin injury in the first one-day international against the West Indies eight days ago.

Pace bowler Zak Foulkes, who made his debut in the second Test against Zimbabwe with match figures of 9-75, is included in the pace attack with Jacob Duffy who won his first Test cap in the same match.

Blair Tickner returns to the Test side for the first time since 2023 following back-to-back player of the match performances in the recent one-day international series against England.

The first Test begins in Christchurch on December 2. The series moves on to Wellington on December 10 with the final Test at Mount Maunganui on December 18.

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young