ZIM vs NZ Tests | Zakary Foulkes to replace injured Nathan Smith in New Zealand squad for second Test

‌Nathan Smith will play no further part for New Zealand in their tour of Zimbabwe, with the all-rounder set to miss the second Test with an abdominal strain. New Zealand Cricket has named all-rounder Zakary Foulkes as his replacement for the final game of the tour.

Smith suffered an abdominal injury while batting on the second day of the first Test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. He had to retire after scoring 22 off 79 balls, with MRI scans showing a tear, which will need around two to four weeks to recover. The all-rounder also picked up 3/20 in 14 overs in the first innings, with the Kiwis winning the match comfortably by nine wickets.

Foulkes received a maiden call-up to the New Zealand Test side after making his T20I and ODI debuts against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, respectively, in 2024. The bowling all-rounder has played 19 first-class matches, picking up 57 wickets at an average of 27.15 and scoring 544 runs in them.

NZC has also named left-arm pacer Ben Lister as a cover for Will O’Rourke after the pacer endured back stiffness during the second innings of the first Test. He went wicketless during his 13-over spell in the first innings before sending down 10 more in the second to pick up three wickets.

Lister has also not featured in a Test match for the Black Caps, but has played three ODIs and 12 T20Is for them with an overall tally of 15 wickets. He also has 82 first-class wickets in 34 games.

New Zealand's final match of the Zimbabwe tour starts on August 7 at Bulawayo, with regular captain Tom Latham expected to make a return from his shoulder injury for the second Test.