Source: Radio New Zealand
Canterbury’s Michael Rae appeals Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Canterbury bowler Michael Rae admits he thought the opportunity to play for the Black Caps may have passed him by.
Rae found out at the weekend that the Black Caps selectors needed him to join the test squad which had been depleted by injuries.
Matt Henry and Nathan Smith both limped out of the first Test against the West Indies in Christchurch which left the New Zealanders struggling to bowl the tourists out in the last innings.
Rae had his first training run with the squad at the Basin Reserve on Monday and is now set to make his debut in the second Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old said after a stint with the New Zealand A side a few years ago he thought there may have been a chance of higher honours and while that didn’t eventuate, that time did allow him to reassess his playing goals.
“I was starting to worry too much about performances and (therefore) I should stop and enjoy my cricket,” Rae said.
Canterbury Michael Rae, Plunket Shield Round 3, Central Stags v Canterbury, McLean Park, Napier. Friday 05 December, 2025 © Mandatory credit: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
“So it wasn’t about making peace with the likelihood that it may never happen, it was more about remembering about why I play and trying to enjoy it as much as I can.”
Rae has played 70 first class games for Otago and Canterbury. Since debuting for Otago in 2014 he has taken 208 wickets.
He and Northern Districts bowler Kristian Clarke were added to the squad and one of them is likely to join Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes in a four-pronged pace attack.
Having played first class cricket for almost a dozen years Rae is familiar with all the faces in the Black Caps squad and coach Rob Walter, who coached Otago for a number of years.
“I’m fortunate there are so many guys in the squad who I have played with, be it at Canterbury in last couple years, or even at Otago, where I started my career.
“There’s a lot of friendly faces. It actually has been quite easy to gel into the group.”
Rae admits if he were to make his Test debut, then the Basin Reserve would be a great place to do it.
“If you actually think about Test grounds in New Zealand then in terms of specialness this is right up there, if not number one.”
And he’ll be sticking to his usual game plan.
“Do what has got me to this point, just keep it really simple and get out there an hit the wicket and enjoy it.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips have both recovered from injuries and are available for selection for the second Test.
Mitchell and Phillips were both called to substitute field in the drawn first test.
Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is also a possibility despite suffering a hamstring injury in Christchurch. Mitch Hay is on standby.
Black Caps squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
