Skipper Williamson returns from Injury ; Ajaz Patel added to the Squad

Michael Bracewell of the Wellington Firebirds has been included in the Blackcaps Test team for the upcoming LV= Insurance Test series against England, wrapping off an outstanding season. Over the summer, the 31-year-old received his first T20I and One Day International call-ups, and he performed in his ODI debut series against the Netherlands.

Following recent call-ups for the home Test series against South Africa in Christchurch in February, Canterbury wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher and Central Stags paceman Blair Tickner will go on their maiden tour with the New Zealand Test team.

The initial squad of 20 will be reduced to 15 ahead of the three Tests against England, the first of which begins on June 2 at Lord's. With the five Blackcaps at the IPL (Williamson (SRH), Southee (KKR), Conway(CSK), Boult (RR) and Mitchell (RR)) unlikely to be available for the two warm-up matches at Hove (May 20th - 23rd) and Chelmsford (May 26th - 29th), the initial squad of 20 will be reduced to 15 ahead of the three Tests against England, the first test begins on June 2 at Lord's.

The tour will also highlight a year since the Blackcaps' historic away Test series triumph over England, which was followed by their victory against India in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final in Southampton. 13 out of 15 players who competed in the WTC Final will return for this tour to England, with Ross Taylor and BJ Watling having retired since then.

Along with Bracewell, Fletcher and Tickner; the established Otago Volts pair of batsman Hamish Rutherford and swing bowler Jacob Duffy have been included, as well as 22-year-old spinning all-rounder Rachin Ravindra.

Following his impressive returns with the ball in England and India last year, front-line spinner Ajaz Patel has been named for the tour. Cameron Fletcher has been picked as the second wicket-keeper along with Tom Blundell.

Gary Stead's coaching team for the tour will include a fourth support coach, who will be announced before the start of the tour, along with Shane Jurgensen (bowling) and Luke Ronchi (batting).

In July and early August, the New Zealand will play series in Ireland (3ODIs & 3T20Is), Scotland (2T20Is & 1ODI), and the Netherlands (2T20Is), followed by a visit to the West Indies (3T20Is & 3ODIs) - with the final touring teams and coaching groups to be announced closer to the time.