Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour link up with NZ test squad

Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour have joined the New Zealand Test squad, who are set to play six Tests in Asia over the following two months. Herath has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach for New Zealand’s next three tests- one against Afghanistan and two in Sri Lanka- while Rathour will only be with the squad for the one-off Afghanistan test in Greater Noida, India, starting September 9. 

"Both men are held in high regard in the world of cricket and I know our players are looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.

 "For our three left-arm orthodox spinners in particular, Ajaz [Patel], Mitch [Santner] and Rachin [Ravindra] having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the subcontinent will be hugely beneficial.

"Rangana has taken over 100 Test wickets in Galle which is the venue of our two Tests against Sri Lanka and so his knowledge of that venue will be priceless."

After the SL tour late this month, the Black Caps will return to India for three tests. Out of these six tests, only the one-off test against Afghanistan will not count for the World Test Series.

Besides Ajaz, Santer and Ravindra in their ranks, the Black Caps will also have off-break spin alternatives in the form of Micheal Bracewell and Glenn Phillips for the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka tests. They are yet to name the squad for the India tests. 

With 433 test wickets in 93 matches, Herath has had a stellar career in red-ball cricket. The former spin wizard replaces Saqlain Mushtaq as the spin bowling coach. Until recently Herath operated in the same position with the Bangladesh cricket team. 

Rathour, who made six test appearances for India, was most recently India’s batting coach. His contract concluded when India lifted the World T20 league in Barbados in June and was also a national selector in 2012.