Southee returns for second Test against Windies

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Tim Southee will return to New Zealand’s team for the second and final Test against the West Indies while wicketkeeper Tim Blundell has also retained his spot for the game starting in Hamilton on Saturday.

Southee missed the Black Caps’ victory in the first Test in Wellington to be with his wife who was giving birth to their first child.

The right-arm swing bowler is likely to replace Matt Henry in the playing XI.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said: “It’s all gone well and Tim played (domestic cricket on Sunday).

“He’s feeling good and has really nice record for us at Hamilton as well. Good to have him back.”

Blundell, who made a century on debut at the Basin Reserve will keep his place team as first-choice gloveman BJ Watling is still not fit to return.

Hesson said of Watling: “He’s making good progress but slow progress.

“He’s able to bat, he can move in the field, probably not quite as freely as he would like, and is unavailable from a keeping point of view. It’s a shame.”

New Zealand squad for second Test: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner

New Zealand Tim Southee West Indies tour to New Zealand

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