Kane Williamson and Nathan Smith have been picked in New Zealand’s 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. Both last featured in the Champions Trophy final against India in March, but were unavailable at the beginning of the home summer due to injury. While Williamson has spent the past month nursing a minor medical issue, Smith has returned to full fitness after an abdominal injury sustained during the second Test against Zimbabwe in August.
Mitchell Santner continues to marshal the experienced group, with 23-year-old Zak Foulkes the only member who wasn’t part of the Champions Trophy campaign. Foulkes joins Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson in a familiar pace unit that also plied its trade during the T20Is against England. The all-round options include Santner, Smith, Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra.
Meanwhile, Williamson’s presence adds plenty of robustness to a batting line-up that comprises Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra, Will Young, and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham.
Our One-Day squad to face England!
Kane Williamson, Nathan Smith and Tom Latham come into the side 🙌 pic.twitter.com/43hK5FAbEC
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 19, 2025
Several other players were unavailable due to injury layoffs – Mohammad Abbas (ribs), Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Will O’Rourke (back), Adam Milne (ankle), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring).
New Zealand ODI squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Talking about the return of Williamson and Smith, New Zealand coach Rob Walter said: “Kane and Nathan have had to work hard to overcome their respective injuries and illness. We all know what Kane means to New Zealand – to have his skill, experience and leadership back in the group is fantastic. Nathan’s still relatively new to his international career, but he’s impressed with his all-round skills and ability in the field.”
This will be Walter’s maiden assignment with the ODI squad and he said he is looking forward to it, calling it the first step of their journey towards the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
“The ODI side has been very successful for a long period of time, as the current ICC ranking of number two suggests. We have an experienced core of players and as a team are very clear on how we want to play,” he said. “This is very much the start of our journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2027 and I know the group are excited to get going in this series against a quality England side.”
The New Zealand one-day squad will meet in Tauranga two days ahead of their opening match on October 26. The second ODI will be played in Hamilton on October 29 and the series will wrap up in Wellington with the final ODI on November 1.
