Kane Williamson back for Black Caps but Ajaz Patel misses out

Kane Williamson will return for the Black Caps upcoming three-test series against England but one of the star performers in the historic series win over India, spinner Ajaz Patel, has been dropped.

Mitchell Santner has been selected as the frontline spinner for the second and third tests in Wellington and Hamilton.

Santner played a key role in the historic 3-nil Test series victory over India, claiming 13-157 in the second Test in Pune, the third best test match figures by a New Zealander.

Patel also played a crucial role in the series whitewash with match figures of 11-160 in the win over India in Mumbai but he misses out.

Selector Sam Wells said it was difficult leaving out Patel following his player of the match performance in Mumbai, but Santner got the nod on his recent test form while Glenn Phillips provides a second spin bowling option.

"Mitch has performed superbly since his recall to the test team last year, and I am sure he will take a lot of confidence out of his match winning performance in the Pune test.

Williamson returns to the test squad after recovering from the groin injury that ruled him out of the India test tour, with Mark Chapman losing his place in the squad to cater for Williamson.

Also missing from the India tour squad is legspinner Ish Sodhi while fast bowlers Ben Sears and Kyle Jamieson were not considered due to injury.

Wellington bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith has earned a maiden test call-up.

He played his first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla earlier this week, and was the standout bowler in last year's Plunket Shield competition, taking 33 wickets at an average of 17, including career-best first-class figures of 6-36 against Canterbury in Rangiora.

New Zealand still have a chance of qualifying for the third World Test Championship Final, sitting fourth on the table, narrowly behind India (2nd) and Sri Lanka (3rd).

The England series is set to be veteran pace bowler Tim Southee's last, following his retirement announcement.

"It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further," Wells said.

"It's also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the test squad for the first time. Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record.''

The second test at Wellington's Basin Reserve is sold out for the first three days with limited tickets for the fourth day, while the first three days of the first Test at Hagley Oval are also heading for a sell-out.

Black Caps test squad v England:

Tom Latham (c)

Tom Blundell (wk)

Devon Conway

Jacob Duffy

Matt Henry

Daryl Mitchell

Will O'Rourke

Glenn Phillips

Rachin Ravindra

Mitchell Santner (2nd & 3rd tests)

Nathan Smith*

Tim Southee

Kane Williamson

Will Young

1st Test - Thursday 28 November-Monday 2 December - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

2nd Test - Friday 6 December-Tuesday 10 December - Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

3rd Test - Saturday 14 December-Wednesday 18 December - Seddon Park, Hamilton

-RNZ