NZ vs ENG 2024: England announce playing XI for Wellington Test

England have announced an unchanged playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, slated to begin on November 6 at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. The visitors secured a comfortable eight-wicket win in the first game and will be hoping to keep up with the tempo and seal the series early. 

Meanwhile, the biggest concern leading in to the first Test was Ollie Pope’s form. He struggled in the series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan and his spot in the playing XI was under question. However with Jamie Smith out on paternity leave and Jordan Cox injured, Pope managed to secure his position. However, he was moved down the order to facilitate Jacob Bethell at number three.

The 21-year-old proved his value with a half-century in the second innings and has sealed his spot at the top of the order. Pope, who moved to number six, also managed to get going as he made 77 in the first innings. Him getting back to form makes England's batting unit even stronger, given that the middle-order is stacked with impactful players.

Harry Brook, meanwhile, was brilliant in the first Test, scoring 171 while Stokes also got some time in the middle with his 80. Gus Atkinson made a mark with the bat as well, scoring 48 while Brydon Carse played a cameo of an unbeaten 33 off 24. Courtesy of that, England posted 499 runs in the first innings.

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Carse also did a terrific job with the ball in the second innings as he notched a six-wicket haul and was adjudged Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, earlier in the year, Stokes talked about a possible bowling revolution in the England team and for the same reason, James Anderson was asked to retire. As things stand, the Three Lions look ready with Carse, Atkinson and Chris Woakes in the mix.

England Playing XI - Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir