Will Young of New Zealand plays a shot. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Black Caps batter Will Young has become accustomed to life as a first reserve.
Young has long been first cab off the rank for New Zealand, most recently stepping in to replace the injured Kane Williamson on the tour of India.
The 31 year old averaged 49 in the three test series batting at number three.
His steady performance earned him the player of the series award.
He made his test debut in 2020 and in that time has played 19 tests.
"Yeah it's a tricky one, you've got to prepare as best you can," Young said.
"But I'm use to that now, I know how to get myself ready for games and if I'm called upon I'm ready to put my best foot forward."
The Central Districts batter, who has played 130 first class games, admits he's happy to have got the international games he has with plenty of competition for places.
"There are heaps of guys that are itching to get a game, so we just have to bide our time and when the opportunity arises just put your best foot forward, do it in an authentic way and the team will continue to have success."
Young has had to cope with the deflation many fans may feel when he has been called into replace someone like Williamson.
He was satisfied that the team was able to silence a number of critics with their performance in India.
New Zealand became the first team ever to win a test series 3-nil in India.
"To do what we did was just remarkable, it's a reminder of how fickle test cricket can be that exactly the same squad was in Sri Lanka and we lost two nil."
Young is now in Sri Lanka preparing for a white ball series.
Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand and Will Young walk off the pitch after defeating India by eight wickets in Bengaluru. 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sri Lanka schedule
Sun 10 Nov, 2:30am 1st T20, Dambulla
Mon 11 Nov, 2:30am, 2nd T20, Dambulla
Wed 13 Nov, 10pm, 1st ODI, Dambulla
Sun 17 Nov, 10pm, 2nd ODI, Pallekele
Tues 19 Nov, 10pm, 3rd ODI, Pallekele
Black Caps squad
Mitchell Santner (c) (Northern Districts)
Michael Bracewell (Wellington Firebirds)
Mark Chapman (Auckland Aces)
Josh Clarkson (Central Stags)
Jacob Duffy (Otago Volts)
Lockie Ferguson (Auckland Aces)
Zak Foulkes (Canterbury)
Dean Foxcroft (Otago Volts)
Mitch Hay* (wk) (Canterbury)
Henry Nicholls (Canterbury)
Glenn Phillips (Otago Volts)
Tim Robinson (Wellington Firebirds)
Nathan Smith* (Wellington Firebirds)
Ish Sodhi (Canterbury)
Will Young (Central Stags)
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