New Zealand fast bowler Smith will make his debut in England’s first Test.

Christchurch: New Zealand put their historic 3-0 series win in India behind them on Wednesday as they selected paceman Nathan Smith for his debut in the first Test against England.

The 26-year-old Smith will begin his Test career on the seven-friendly Hagley Oval pitch in Christchurch, a far cry from the spin-dominated Indian playing surfaces. New Zealand captain Tom Latham confirmed Kane Williamson would be fit again for the Tests starting on Thursday, meaning there was no place in the batting line-up for Will Young, who was the man of the series in India.

Latham described the India series as an “amazing two weeks” but added, “It’s a thing of the past”. The captain said his team was confident after India’s first home Test series defeat since 2012 and their first win in the subcontinent.

“The way we played, the style we tried to adopt in this series in tough conditions, knowing that we can do it all over the world gives confidence,” Latham said. New Zealand should not lack confidence at Hagley Oval where they have won nine and drawn one of the 13 Tests played on the traditionally green wicket.

With long-serving seamers Trent Boult and Neil Wagner retired and Tim Southee struggling for form, 32-year-old Matt Henry has emerged to lead the pace attack. Latham said the rookie Smith will complement the seven trio of Henry, Southee and Will O’Rourke.

“He moves the ball both ways in the air and hits the wicket reasonably well … and he can bat a bit as a bowling all-rounder which definitely helps balance the side.” If England lose the toss, it means the untested 21-year-old Jacob Bethel could soon be in the firing line to face the new ball on a surface that helps the seven bowlers.

England captain Ben Stokes defended Bethel’s surprise selection, saying he was “not trying to wind people up. We know what we’re doing.” Bethel, who has the highest score in first-class cricket with 93, got the call last week after wicketkeeper Jordan Cox suffered a broken thumb.

Ollie Pope would slide down three to bat at six and take the gloves. Ben Stokes will drop one place to seventh. England could have asked Joe Root to bat for three, but Stokes said he did not want too many moving parts.

“We just wanted to keep it simple where we had the batting order and everyone knew what they were doing during the week.” England have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 2008 and Stokes, whose side are coming off a 2-1 defeat in Pakistan, was aware of the challenge against New Zealand.

“To go to India and win three matches in a row is a big, big thing to be able to say what you’ve done as a team and it’s huge for world cricket,” he said. “I think it was a big thing for cricket in general that a touring team was able to go there and win against India.”