Kane Williamson Returns as New Zealand Announce ODI Squad for England Series
Kane Williamson is set to return to the New Zealand side for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, starting October 26 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. This marks his first international appearance since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025.
Williamson, 35, missed the ongoing T20I series against England due to a minor medical issue but has now recovered. The former captain, who currently holds a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), had earlier opted out of the T20I series against Australia and the Zimbabwe tour to play county cricket and the Hundred in the UK. He also served as the strategic advisor for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL earlier this year.
Joining Williamson in the squad is allrounder Nathan Smith, who returns after a two-month layoff following an abdominal injury sustained during the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Smith, 27, has not played any competitive cricket since but has undergone an intensive rehabilitation program and declared himself fit for the New Zealand summer.
“Yeah, always exciting when you get the opportunity to play for New Zealand in any series,” Smith said. “It’s been a good period of rest and rehab, and I’ve built the bowling loads back up. I’m ready for what’s ahead.”
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter welcomed both players back into the side. "Kane and Nathan have had to work hard to overcome their respective injuries and illness," Walter said. "We all know what Kane means to the Blackcaps - to have his skill, experience and leadership back in the group is fantastic."
This ODI series will also mark Walter’s first series in charge of the 50-over side. “The ODI side has been very successful for a long period of time, as the current ICC ranking of number two suggests," he said. "We have an experienced core of players and are very clear on how we want to play. This series is the beginning of our journey towards the 2027 World Cup in South Africa."
Meanwhile, several key players will miss the series due to injury, including Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O'Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring).
Mitchell Santner will lead the side after captaining New Zealand in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Santner, who recently recovered from an abdominal injury, is currently playing in the T20Is against England.
Tom Latham also makes his return, taking up wicketkeeping duties for the first time since the Champions Trophy final. Latham had been sidelined with a shoulder injury and hasn’t played competitively since July, when he scored a century for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast.
Canterbury seam-bowling allrounder Zak Foulkes has been included after impressing for New Zealand A in South Africa, where he struck consecutive fifties. He joins fellow allrounders Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra in the squad.
Matt Henry, currently the leading ODI wicket-taker among seamers in 2025 with 24 wickets at an average of 15.50, will spearhead the bowling attack.
The New Zealand squad will assemble in Tauranga on Friday ahead of the first ODI on October 26. The second and third ODIs will take place in Hamilton (October 29) and Wellington (November 1), respectively.
The ODI series will run concurrently with New Zealand's premier domestic one-day competition, the Ford Trophy, which begins on October 25. The women’s domestic season, led by the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, will follow from November 15.
New Zealand ODI Squad vs England:
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young