New Zealand have named Michael Bracewell as the replacement for injured Glenn Phillips for the first Test match against Zimbabwe starting on July 30 in Bulawayo. Phillips had been ruled out of the two-match Test series due to a groin injury sustained in the Major League Cricket (MLC) final while playing for Washington Freedom. Earlier, Bracewell was unavailable for the two-match Test series following his commitments with Southern Brave in the Hundred.
"Glenn's injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement. Michael's experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team. Given he's here with the T20 squad and his availability aligned for the first Test, we're using the opportunity to include him in the squad,” head coach Rob Walter said.
"We'll get through the first Test and then we'll make a decision whether we'll replace him for the second Test."
The first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will begin on July 30 in Bulawayo.