Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Will Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner and BJ Watling (wk)

Thirty-four-year-old off-spinner Will Somerville's only Test for New Zealand so far - against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi last December – saw him pick seven wickets to seal the series for the visitors. Left-arm off-spinner Ajaz Patel made his debut in the first game of that series, claiming the Man of the Match award for match-winning figures of 5 for 59 in the second innings.

Mitchell Santner, the other left-arm spinner in the squad, last played a Test in December 2017 before getting sidelined due to an injury, while leg-spinner Todd Astle's four Tests have come in four different calendar years, having first played on New Zealand's previous trip to Sri Lanka far back in 2012. The last time Sri Lanka and New Zealand played a Test series in the island nation, the series was tied 1-1.

"Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer," said Gary Stead, New Zealand's coach. "England were playing three spinners against Sri Lanka on their successful visit there last year and the slow bowlers also dominated the previous series against South Africa."

New Zealand play a three-day warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Board President's XI from August 8 before the first Test. The Sri Lanka tour, which comprises two Tests in Galle and Colombo followed by three T20s in Colombo and Pallekele, will be New Zealand's first assignment since the excruciating defeat in the World Cup final against England on July 14.

The series will be the first for both sides in the World Test Championship, which begins with the Ashes series in England on August 1.