Southee returns for second Test, Watling unavailable

The New Zealand pace attack that inflicted an innings defeat on West Indies in the first Test in Wellington will be boosted further by the return of Tim Southee for the second Test in Hamilton. Southee had missed the first Test due to the birth of his child and was replaced by George Worker, who did not find a place in the XI in Wellington. Southee is expected to join the squad on Wednesday in Hamilton for the Test starting Saturday.

Worker and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson were released from the squad to play the Ford Trophy - New Zealand's domestic one-day competition - for the matches scheduled on Wednesday.

Ferguson, however, will join the Test squad back in time for the second Test. New Zealand will continue to miss the services of the injured wicketkeeper BJ Watling, but his replacement Tom Blundell scored an unbeaten century on debut to help the hosts build a massive first-innings lead.

New Zealand played three quicks in the first Test - Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner - and all contributed with wickets in both innings. While Boult picked four wickets in the match and Henry collected three, Wagner finished with career-best 7 for 39 in the first innings before picking another two in the second innings. They also had the medium-pace services of Colin de Grandhomme and played Mitchell Santner as the specialist spinner.