Tom Latham Ruled Out of Second Test Against Zimbabwe

New Zealand will once again be without their regular Test captain Tom Latham, who has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a lingering left shoulder injury.

Latham missed the first Test with the same issue and was scheduled to undergo a fitness test ahead of the second match. However, he failed to pass the assessment on the eve of the game, ruling him out of action for a second consecutive time.

🗣️ Head Coach Rob Walter said: "It’s incredibly disappointing to lose Tom again. He had been working hard and gradually building towards being ready for the second Test. Unfortunately, he couldn’t clear the final fitness hurdle today. He’s understandably very disappointed, and we all feel for him."

To cover for Latham’s absence, Bevon Jacobs has been called up as a batting and fielding reinforcement. Jacobs, who plays domestic cricket for Auckland, was already playing in Johannesburg and made the relatively short journey to join the squad in Bulawayo.

All-rounder Mitchell Santner, who captained New Zealand in the first Test, will continue to lead the side. He was recently named New Zealand’s 32nd Test captain.