Will Young Returns to New Zealand Squad for England Series

Following Kane Williamson’s retirement from international cricket, New Zealand Cricket has called up Will Young for the remaining two Tests against England.

Young, who has played 23 Tests, last featured in the format in December against West Indies in Christchurch. He has scored 1,215 runs in his Test career at an average of 31.97. More recently, he was part of New Zealand’s ODI squad during the tour of Bangladesh, where he scored 30, 2 and 19 in three matches.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Young will arrive in England on June 14 and begin training with the squad on June 15. The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin on June 17 at The Oval.

Henry Nicholls was also considered as a replacement for Williamson. He was the leading run-scorer in the 2025–26 Plunket Shield season, amassing 870 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of 96.66. In contrast, Young managed just 119 runs in five matches in the same competition, averaging 14.87.

New Zealand currently trail the three-match Test series 1-0. The Black Caps suffered a 115-run defeat to England in the opening Test at Lord’s and will be aiming to level the series in the second Test.