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England have named an unchanged squad for the second Test against New Zealand, starting in Wellington on Thursday evening.
Ben Stokes’ side claimed a convincing 267-run victory in the first pink-ball Test at Mount Maunganui last week, their first Test win in the country since 2008.
The seam attack of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson all impressed in England’s four-day victory, their 10th win in 11 Tests, with the trio leading the bowling line-up once again after clearing to spin.
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Michael Atherton believes England Test captain Ben Stokes sees James Anderson and Stuart Broad as ‘integral’ parts of his team
All three enjoyed a light bowling session on Wednesday at Basin Reserve as they recovered from aches and pains after the series opener, with all three selected in the XI ahead of Matthew Potts and Olly Stone.
It will be Anderson’s first appearance since stepping back atop the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings after taking seven wickets in his first Test, with the 40-year-old now 26 wickets clear of second-placed Shane Warne (708 wickets) in the all-time rankings.
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Former England captain Michael Atherton says Harry Brook’s performances have given Test selectors a ‘real problem’ as Jonny Bairstow returns to fitness.
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 ready for ‘tough challenge’
Spinner Jack Leach had a quiet time in his 267-run success at Mount Mauganui, settling for one wicket in each innings as the majority of the damage was done by the seamers in the floodlit Test days.
England’s Jack Leach, left, celebrates with Ben Stokes after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Muhammad Rizwan in the second Test
If the new trend in the reserve soil of the capital Basin is anything to go by, with the pace to the front and play reduced to a supporting role, there can be more of the same in the coming days.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge, but it’s good for me as a spinner to experience these pitches, to work hard and work hard,” Leach said. “Stokesy spoke to me about it.
“He wanted me to experience all different pitches and scenarios. The only way you can improve is by being exposed to unusual situations. Those struggles can make you progress in the game.
“It’s great that the captain wants to challenge me. I hope this experience will improve my development quickly and help me in the future.”
Stokes: Crowd selling ‘another win’
After the crowd at Mount Maunganui exceeded local expectations, New Zealand Cricket has sold out its first three days in the capital. Stokes took it as a sign that his promise to revitalize the format with an entertaining team is bearing fruit.
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Ben Stokes praised England’s ‘courageous’ performance as his side beat New Zealand in the first Test, while Tim Southee praised James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“I would say we get sold-out a lot because of the way we play, but I’m not 100 percent sure. We’ll take it as another win,” he said.
“I think the last match is a good indication. I think after the initial sales there were another 1000 tickets sold in one day. Brendon (McCullum, the head coach) said that this is the best man he has seen. Test match down there.
“I think that has something to do with the Barmy Army and the fans who follow us around the world, but seeing the crowds come last week was a good thing for us. We want people to come to the Tests fit and have fun.”
Follow England’s second and final Test against New Zealand, at Basin Reserve in Wellington, across the Sky Sports digital platform, from 10pm on Thursday night.
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