Central Districts batsmen Will Young will become Blackcaps test player number 276 when he makes his debut against Bangladesh on Saturday.
He comes in for skipper Kane Williamson who is out with a minor pectoral injury.
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"Being a Blackcap has always been on the horizon but it's just taken a while to get here, [I'm] stoked that the time has come," he said.
"It's something you dream of since when you pick up a cricket bat, growing up in the backyard as a youngster and getting to this moment it’s awesome to get the call-up."
The 26-year-old has had to be patient as the good form of others has kept him out of the starting side for the last 18 months.
Young toured the UAE late last year but didn't play and despite being included in every test squad this summer he has been surplus to requirements.
"Deep down to always need to reassure yourself that you’re good enough to play at the top level," he said.
"As a cricketer, you always need to have self-belief otherwise you won't get past the first class hurdle."
Young will bat at three, coming in as a direct replacement for Williamson.
"The New Zealand pundits love to watch Kane bat as do I, but I'm not here to emulate Kane I'm here to play my own style of cricket.
"I've had the NZA tour to the UAE at the start of the summer and managed to put some performances together, the same with the stags in the domestic season so it’s a nice way to finish it off with a test debut at the end."
Young was told he will debut at training on Thursday and he couldn’t contain his excitement.
"Stead told me that I'd get my test cap, the first thing I did when we got back to the hotel was ring my parents, brother and partner - and they’re all on their way to Christchurch tomorrow morning."
Veteran bowler Tim Southee will become the 30th captain of the New Zealand test side - taking over the reins from Williamson.
Newshub.
