Kane Williamson of New Zealand celebrates his century during day four of the second Test cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Seddon Park in Hamilton on December 21, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP / MICHAEL BRADLEY (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images)
New Zealand is set to leave a number of Test stars at home as they cross the ditch for their white-ball tour of Australia next month.
The Blackcaps have just completed a series against Bangladesh and will welcome the touring South Africa in February, meaning the touring party landing on Australian soil will be comprised of white-ball specialists.
Speaking on SENZ Mornings, New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that isolation requirements would limit the preparation time leading into the first Test against the Proteas on February 17 should New Zealand bring over a full squad to select from.
“I don’t think any Test players will be involved (in the Australia series),” Stead said.
“Just with the crossover and isolation at the moment, it means we’d only have two or three days in between the South Africa (Test) series as well.
“It’s highly likely that you’ll see a side somewhat like how we selected for Bangladesh before the T20 World Cup as well.
“When none of our T20 World Cup players toured there, it’ll be similar but with a Test slant on it this time.”
Stead believes the World Test Champions will be able to field a strong and competitive side against the reigning T20 World Champions despite a number of key stars not making the trip.
“We always go with high expectations,” Stead said.
“I remember a couple of years back before we went to the 2019 World Cup, we took I think four players who were going to the World Cup … it was really a New Zealand ‘A’ team and we competed really admirably with Australia.
“It is always tough going there, they’re a fantastic side, I don’t think we’ve won a game on their home soil for about 11 years now, so it shows us the toughness of what’s ahead of us.”
The likes of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Tom Latham will all be missing when the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand gets underway on January 30.