New Zealand are likely top field a strong pace attack for home series vs India [Source: AFP]Ahead of the India vs New Zealand series, the hosts suffered a massive blow as star pacer Will O'Rourke has been ruled out of the Test matches. The pacer continues his rehab from the calf and hamstring injury, and he won’t take any part in the red-ball series vs the Indian side.His absence comes as a blow for the Kiwis, as the right-arm seamer was set to be a vital weapon against the Indian batters, but now the home side needs to fill in his void. With the India vs New Zealand series approaching, we take a look at New Zealand’s predicted pace attack without O'Rourke.1) Matt HenryOne of the best exponents of wobble seam at the moment, Matt Henry boasts a stellar record against India, and he will be one of the first names on the team sheet when the squad is announced. CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table4SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDismissalsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table16SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table25.43SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Henry in Tests vs India)In 4 Tests against India, he has bagged 16 wickets, with an average of 25.43, and he’ll once again be the key against the Indian batters.He can swing the ball both ways, and that could cause trouble to the Indian batters on green top.2) Kyle JamiesonKyle Jamieson simply loves playing against India, and he was the pioneer for the Kiwis in the inaugural WTC finals against the Indian side.A tall pacer, Jamieson has the ability to surprise the batter by generating extra bounce, and he also has outstanding Test numbers against the Asian giants.In 5 Tests against India, he has 22 wickets, with an average of 17.72, and it showcases his domination against the Indian batters.3) Blair TicknerWith O’Rourke injured, Blair Tickner, who impressed in the England series, might get a place in the team. Just like Matt Henry, Tickner has the ability to nip the ball around both ways, and he becomes a dangerous commodity on New Zealand’s green-top home wickets.ALSO READNew Zealand T20I Squad vs India Updated As Mark Chapman, Zak Foulkes Ruled Out With Injury4) Ben SearsEngland are most likely going to pick a pace-heavy attack for the India Test series, and Ben Sears, the right-arm medium pacer, also might get a place. He has been in and out of the side, but Sears is one of the Kiwi pacers with the ability to consistently bowl fast in excess of 140 km/h, and that could be trouble for the Indian batters.5) Nathan SmithNew Zealand’s biggest X-factor, Nathan Smith, has outstanding Test numbers, and he recently delivered the goods in the away series against England, which the Kiwis won.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table8SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDismissalsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table34SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table25.26SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Nathan Smith in Tests)34 wickets in eight Tests, and 16 of those came in the last series against England. He is coming off a stellar run and will most likely be picked in the playing XI straightaway.Which pacers New Zealand will field in the playing XI Vs India?Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Nathan Smith are sure-shot starters, and barring any injuries, they will get a place in the playing XI.New Zealand pitches support pacers, and the hosts will field four pacers in their playing XI. That leaves one spot between Tickner and Sears.Tickner has done well in recent matches, and he provides a bit more with the ball, and at least for the first Tests, the Kiwis are most likely going to start with Tickner over Sears.ALSO READRecords That Sanju Samson Can Achieve In India vs West Indies 3rd T20I
