England have named an unchanged side for the second Test towards New Zealand, beginning in Wellington on Thursday night.
Ben Stokes’ side claimed a convincing 267-run victory within the pink-ball first Test at Mount Maunganui final week, their first Test win within the nation since 2008.
The seam assault of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson all impressed in England’s four-day victory, a tenth win in 11 Tests, with the trio main the bowling line-up as soon as once more after being cleared to play.
Michael Atherton believes England Test captain Ben Stokes sees James Anderson and Stuart Broad as an ‘integral’ part of the staff
All three loved a light-weight bowling session on Wednesday at Basin Reserve as they recovered from aches and pains following the sequence opener, with all three being chosen within the XI forward of Matthew Potts and Olly Stone.
It can be Anderson’s first look since shifting again prime of the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings after his seven-wicket haul of their first Test, with the 40-year-old at the moment 26 wickets away from second-place Shane Warne (708 wickets) within the all-time standings.
Former England captain Michael Atherton says Harry Brook’s performances have given the Test selectors a ‘actual downside’ as Jonny Bairstow’s return to health looms.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Jimmy Anderson.
Leach prepared for ‘powerful problem’
Spinner Jack Leach had a quiet time of it within the 267-run success in Mount Mauganui, settling for one wicket in every innings as the bulk of the harm was carried out by the seamers within the floodlit day-night Test.
England’s Jack Leach, left, celebrates with Ben Stokes after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Muhammad Rizwan the second Test
If current developments on the capital’s Basin Reserve floor are something to by, with tempo to the fore and spin lowered to a supporting function, there could possibly be extra of the identical within the coming days.
“It will be a tough challenge, but it’s really good for me as a spinner to experience these pitches, to keep working on my craft and working hard,” Leach mentioned. “Stokesy spoke to me about that.
“He needs me to expertise all completely different varieties of pitches and eventualities. The solely approach you can also make enhancements is by being uncovered to conditions you are not used to. That wrestle could make you progress your sport.
“It’s great that the captain wants to challenge me. Hopefully these experiences really progress my development quickly and that will help me in the future.”
Stokes: Sell-out crowds ‘one other win’
After crowds in Mount Maunganui out-performed native expectations, New Zealand Cricket has already bought out the primary three days within the capital. Stokes is taking that as an indication that his pledge to revitalise the format with a staff of entertainers is bearing fruit.
Ben Stokes hailed England’s ‘courageous’ efficiency as his side beat New Zealand within the first Test, whereas Tim Southee heaped reward on James Anderson and Stuart Broad
“I’ll say we get sold-out crowds because of the way we play, but I’m not 100 per cent sure. We’ll take it as another win,” he mentioned.
“I think the last game was a good indication of that. I think after the initial sales there were another 1,000 tickets sold on one of the days. Brendon (McCullum, head coach) actually said this is the best crowd they’ve seen in a Test match down there.
“I believe that is just a little bit to do with the Barmy Army as properly and the followers we get following us all over the world, however seeing the crowds are available final week was an excellent factor for us. We need folks to come back all the way down to a Test match and have an excellent time.”
Follow England’s second and closing Test towards New Zealand, at Basin Reserve in Wellington, throughout Sky Sports’ digital platforms, from 10pm on Thursday night time.
Discussion about this post