CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 20: Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult of New Zealand (L-R) line up for their national anthem during day one of the Second Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval on January 20, 2017 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
New Zealand Cricket have announced an unchanged squad to face Sri Lanka in a two-test series, kicking off from March 9 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
There were no surprises in the squad as the only members of their team who did not participate in their recent 1-1 tie with England were the injured Kyle Jamieson, uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy, and legspinner Ish Sodhi.
Tim Southee will continue to captain the side after registering their names in the history books by becoming the fourth team to win after following on by defeating the English team by just one run.
Kane Williamson will continue to be the front-man in the batting department as he became New Zealand's highest run-scorer in Test cricket with his 132 in their second innings at the Basin Reserve.
Williamson will be supported by his fellow batters, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Will Young to put pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers.
Tom Blundell will continue to be the wicketkeeper, but the key to the spin department will be Michael Bracewell.
Together with Southee, Neil Wagner, who is coming off one of his legendary short-ball performances against England, will lead the pacers in a lineup that also features Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, and Scott Kuggeleijn.
The two tests are incredibly important for the visitors as beating the Kiwis 2-0 will keep a slim hope of qualifying for the World Test Championship final alive.
Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake