Will Young Released from the New Zealand Test Squad to Play First Class Cricket
Will Young in the midst of the Indian Test cricket team [Source: Twitter]
Will Young is set to be discharged from the New Zealand squad following the play in Christchurch today to represent the Central Stags in the next round of the Plunket Shield.
The upcoming round will commence tomorrow, where Young's Central Stags will face off against Canterbury in Rangiora. The all-rounder's return to the Test squad will occur after round seven, whereas Doug Bracewell, his Central Stags teammate, will join the squad once it assembles in Wellington.
Bracewell was initially slated to be named as an injury replacement in the Test squad during the England Test series. However, he was impeded by a minor groin strain. Since then, Bracewell has made a successful playing return, featuring for the Stags in the last round of the Plunket Shield.
According to New Zealand coach Gary Stead, the decision to shuffle the squad is intended to provide Young with more playing opportunities and introduce a diverse range of
“We think it’s important for Will to keep getting cricket under his belt. With the timing of this round and the next Test we thought it was a good opportunity to get him on the park and have time in first-class match conditions,” Stead said in a statement released by New Zealand cricket.
Stead was effusive in his praise of Bracewell, noting the cricketer's impressive skillset and form across various formats for the Central Stags this season. The Kiwi coach went on to express his confidence that the 32-year old's abilities would blend seamlessly with those of the existing bowlers in the squad, paving the way for success in the upcoming Test match.
The Blackcaps Test Squad is anticipated to relocate to Wellington on Tuesday, where Bracewell will then join the team.