If he was left out of a match Tom Latham may step up to the prospect the area
Tim Southee, New Zealand's Test captain, may get left out of some of group's future games on the peninsula if circumstances dictate a unique balance to their area.
Southee may lead a 15-player squad, which includes five-spin ball alternatives, for the one-off Check against Afghanistan and two games against Sri Lanka, which ESPNcricinfo understands will both be staged in Galle, but he is no surety to have in them all or the three Testing which follow against India.
If Southee, who only took six wickets in four household Tests last year, certainly be part of an XI vice-captain Tom Latham may move up to captain the area.
" Check trips to the continent is beg some really hard issues of speed bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the warmth and humidity", head coach Gary Stead said.
" While we're going over with an open mind around conditions, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests. Tim and I have discussed this, and the need during these overseas tours to balance the workloads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served".
The squad announced on Monday does not cover the India series in October and November, but it's likely a very similar group of players will be involved.
There had been some doubt over whether Kane Williamson would play the Afghanistan Test, which will be staged in Greater Nodia, but he has been included for the first occasion the two teams will play each other in the format.
Offspin allrounder Michael Bracewell returns 18 months after last featuring for the Test side. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner are also included while Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will likely play important roles with the ball.
Alongside Southee, the pace options are Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke. The latter two made impressive Test debuts last year, and Henry took 17 wickets in two games for Australia. As he recovers from a back stress fracture, Kelly Jamieson was not taken into account.
Will and Ben are "absolutely looking forward to the challenges of Test cricket in the sub-continent," Stead said." It's always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance.
Michael "had to show a lot of resilience to heal from his injuries and resurrect himself from the Blackcaps in all three formats." He excels because of his all-around abilities and ability to take the ball away from the left-hander, especially when we anticipate him taking the wicket in India and Sri Lanka.
Saqlain Mushtaq will rejoin New Zealand as bowling coach for the three away Tests, while former England wicketkeeper James Foster returns as an assistant coach.
The Afghanistan Test, which is not part of the World Test Championship, takes place between September 9-13 and the Sri Lanka matches between September 18-22 and 26-30.
A home series against England will begin in late November with a nine-test series against New Zealand starting in September. As they attempt to reach the Lord's final in June, they are currently third in the WTC.
New Zealand Test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
Tim Southee ( capt ), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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