England identify unchanged XI for 2nd Test, Matt Henry set to return for New Zealand

England has retained the identical beginning eleven for the second Test towards New Zealand, which begins on Friday on the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 23, 2023 10:13 IST

England announce unchanged crew for second New Zealand Test (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: England will area an unchanged enjoying XI for the second Test towards New Zealand, captain Ben Stokes confirmed on Thursday, whereas the hosts are anticipated so as to add Matt Henry to their bowling assault in an try to degree the sequence.

England registered a thumping 267-run win over New Zealand within the opening Test final week to take a 1-0 sequence lead over the hosts. England’s victory had imprinted the “Bazball” model of cricket they’ve been enjoying underneath captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Seamers Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Ollie Robinson all performed essential roles within the victory, and Stokes mentioned it was a no brainer to area the identical crew at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Friday in spite of everything three had indicated they have been match.

“It was just a case of seeing how the bowlers pulled up and they’ve all pulled up pretty well so, yeah, unchanged team,” he instructed reporters.

“It is a fine line between picking your strongest 11 and ensuring that the bowlers that you pick are 100%. It was pretty easy to pick the team once they told me they were ready to go.”

“It would be great to leave here with a 2-0 series win but I don’t think we’ll be looking to go in here to achieve that,” Christchurch-born Stokes added.

“I think we’ll be looking to play the exact same cricket we’ve been playing the last 10 to 12 months and if New Zealand are better than us this week, then we’ll be able to say that.”

New Zealand captain Tim Southee has acknowledged that his crew will likely be relieved to return to red-ball cricket this week after being completely out-strategized by England within the pink-ball match at Bay Oval. The seamer went on to say that New Zealand have been unlikely to attempt to emulate England’s aggressive model of play within the second and ultimate Test in Wellington.

“You’ve got to look at your side and try and work with what you’ve got,” he instructed reporters.

“That works for England because of the makeup of their side but it’s about us finding a way that works for us. We know these conditions reasonably well and I guess that’s where your home advantage comes into it.”

Published On:

Feb 23, 2023