Ajaz Patel and Tom Blundell have returned to the Test squad for the third and final match against West Indies, New Zealand Cricket confirmed. Patel replaces Blair Tickner, who dislocated his shoulder during the just-concluded second Test.

Blundell, New Zealand's first choice keeper, played the first Test during which he suffered a hamstring tear which subsequently ruled him out of the next game. Mitch Hay, who made his debut in place of Blundell, will now return to Canterbury for domestic duties.

Patel, who was named player of the match in his most recent Test appearance in November 2024, will fancy his chances of playing a home Test for the first time since February 2020.

"Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required," Head Coach Rob Walter said. "Bay Oval, as we know, has typically taken more turn than other surfaces around New Zealand, and the fact he turns the ball away from the right-hander is very appealing. Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack, along with our seamers who have been doing a great job thus far this series.

"Tom has recovered very well from his hamstring tear, and we're grateful to have someone of his caliber back in the side. His experience is invaluable, even more so as we have a few guys in the squad who are relatively new to Test cricket - he is a leader in the group and we're very pleased to see him back," Walter further added.

The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the second Test which New Zealand won to take a 1-0 lead after the opening Test ended in a tense draw. The final Test is scheduled to be played from December 18 at the Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

Squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young