Christchurch, Dec 7 (LatestNewsX) – New Zealand has added the uncapped fast bowler Michael Rae to its Test squad for the second match against the West Indies, which kicks off on December 10 in Wellington. The 30‑year‑old pacer arrived in Wellington on Saturday to join the side, having been called up after injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith during the opening Test in Christchurch. Both Henry and Smith are still uncertain about the second Test in Wellington on Wednesday, mainly because the turnaround time between fixtures is too short.
Rae has been a reliable performer in New Zealand cricket, appearing in 69 first‑class matches and taking 205 wickets at an average of 33.06, including three five‑wicket hauls. Meanwhile, Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was ruled out of the upcoming Test after tearing a hamstring on the opening day in Christchurch, so Mitch Hay has been added to the squad. Hay is set to debut behind the stumps, taking over from captain Tom Latham who kept wicket in both innings in Christchurch and also scored 145 in New Zealand’s second innings.
The injuries to Henry and Smith left New Zealand with only two frontline seamers, burdening them with a heavy workload. The West Indies took advantage of the limited bowling options, pushing the Test into a final day. Justin Greaves stayed unbeaten on a double‑century, Shai Hope added 140, and Kemar Roach made a fighting fifty, all contributing to the West Indies’ successful defense of the match in the first Test in Christchurch. Together, they helped the visitors post the highest fourth‑innings total in an over‑80‑year span, finishing the day at 457/6 to save the match – the largest such total in history outside the famous 654/6 England innings in the timeless 1939 Test against South Africa in Durban.
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