England will be looking to extend their dominance after an emphatic eight-wicket win in the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval.
England’s victory in the first Test hinged on Brydon Carse’s performance. He claimed a career-best 10-wicket match haul, with 6-42 in the second innings, becoming the first England seamer to achieve an overseas ten-wicket haul in 16 years.
Despite a valiant effort from Daryl Mitchell, who scored 84, New Zealand ultimately crumbled, getting bowled out for just 254 runs in their second innings.
The chase of 104 by visitors came in just 12.4 overs as debutant Jacob Bethell made it happen with an unbeaten knock of 50. Ben Duckett and Joe Root came in handy as cameo artists as the team continued to follow the aggressive approach.
But the visitors will have concerns over Ben Stokes, who pulled up with a back injury during the final stages of the match. While he believes he’ll be fit for the second Test, his fitness will be crucial as they head to Wellington
Also read: NZ vs ENG Match Preview- 2nd Test, England tour of New Zealand 2024
England squad
Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox (WK), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
England Playing 11 vs New Zealand- 2nd Test, England tour of New Zealand 2024
Openers: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are going to open the innings for the visitors in the 2nd Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve.
In the 1st Test, he failed miserably, scoring only 1 run in both innings. The manner in which he was dismissed without scoring – duck in the first innings and scoring a solitary run in the second – leaves him vulnerable to the New Zealand seamers.
However, he would look to rebound with a strong performance on a track that has seen early batting conditions prevail more often than not.
Ben Duckett, on the other hand, was promising. He had a brisk 46 in the first innings and a quickfire 27 in the second.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Chris Woakes
In the 2nd Test against New Zealand, England’s middle-order and all-rounders will be crucial. Jacob Bethell, after scoring 50 not out in the second innings of the first Test has shown his aggressive potential to provide vital runs under pressure.
Joe Root, despite a rare failure in the first innings showed some form in the second innings with 23 off 15 balls. Harry Brook will look to continue his run after scoring 171 runs.
Stokes would lead by example from the front with the bat as well as the ball.
Chris Woakes would look to lend adequate support with both bat and ball at the right moments.
Bowlers: Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir
Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, and Shoaib Bashir will lead the bowling. Carse has been brilliant and took 10 wickets in the 1st match in Christchurch. Atkinson, with his partnership-breaking ability, will be crucial. Bashir displayed his talent in the first innings after taking four wickets.