New Zealand vs England Match Preview, 2nd Test

New Zealand (NZ) and England (ENG) are all set to continue their ongoing Test series. Both sides will lock horns in the second Test of the series at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, from December 6. The first Test of the series saw England register a dominant win.

Both teams faced off in the first Test at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, from November 28 to December 1. The game began with New Zealand coming in to bat first and putting in a good performance in the first innings. After Kane Williamson’s 93-run knock and Glenn Phillips staying unbeaten on a score of 58 runs, New Zealand posted a total of 348 runs in the first innings. 

Check Here: NZ vs ENG Live Score, 2nd Test

In response, England performed exceptionally well with the bat as well. Harry Brook’s 171-run knock saw the visitors score 499 runs in the first innings. Furthermore, looking to minimise their trail and post a big total for England to chase, New Zealand only managed to score 254 runs, giving the visitors a target of 104 runs to chase down. 

England did so with ease, winning the game by eight wickets and registering a comfortable win. As the second test approaches, where the Black Caps will hope for redemption, England will look to clinch the series. 

Match Details

Pitch Report

The surface at the Basin Reserve in Wellington is one that is preferred by the pacers. A green surface is expected to be in play, which could prove to be paradise for the bowlers. The batters would look to stay wary throughout the early days.

Head-to-Head Records

NZ vs ENG Probable Playing 11

New Zealand (NZ): 

New Zealand could field a similar XI compared to that of the first Test, with Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and many more stars in the XI; New Zealand will hope for an improved performance in the second Test.

Playing XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke

England (ENG): 

As for England, with a resounding win in the first test, the side has little to no reason to make changes in the playing XI. With Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opening the innings and Harry Rook looking in good form, England will look to clinch the series.

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