England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to miss New Zealand Tests

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith, who has been one of their brightest spots in recent times, won’t be seen in England Test kit on the tour of New Zealand as he is taking paternity leave.

England, who lost 1-2 to Pakistan in the recent away Test series, play three Tests against the Blackcaps in November-December. They are currently languishing in sixth place in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.

New Zealand, who have already beaten India in the Test series and play the third and final Test from Friday, are fourth in the table.

The England Men's selection panel on Tuesday named a 16-player squad for the three-match Test tour of New Zealand.

“The squad includes one change from the recent series in Pakistan, with Warwickshire's batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell called up for his first inclusion in a Test squad. The 21-year-old, an attacking left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, made his England white-ball debut this summer in both T20 and ODI formats against Australia,” said a statement from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Bethell is currently with the England white-ball squad in the Caribbean and, along with Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox, will join the Test team following their commitments against West Indies.

“Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave for the birth of his first child, with Cox in line to take on wicketkeeping duties and the opportunity of winning his first Test cap,” added the statement.

The Test series will begin at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday, 28 November.

England Men's Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

England cricket, Jamie Smith, ENGvNZ, World Test Championship, Ben Stokes