NZ vs ENG: England announces unchanged playing XI for second Test against New Zealand

NZ vs ENG: England announces unchanged playing XI for second Test against New Zealand

England announced its squad for the second Test against New Zealand taking place at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington from Friday, December 6.

The visitor, which won the first Test in Christchurch by eight wickets, will field the same XI for the clash.

Captain Ben Stokes was named in the playing XI on Wednesday, allaying concerns over his fitness. Stokes, who pulled up while bowling his fifth over on the final day of the first Test and tossed the ball to Gus Atkinson to finish his stint.

The all-rounder stayed on the field and said afterwards that there was “a bit of stiffness” in his back stemming from diving for a catch.

England leads the three-match Test series against New Zealand 1-0 with the third and final Test scheduled to take place in Hamilton from December 14.

While England is out of the race for the WTC final next year, New Zealand’s slim hopes of making the title match took a hit as it dropped to the fifth spot in the standings after the loss.

(With inputs from AFP)