Christchurch: England will be looking for redemption after losing the three-Test series against New Zealand in Pakistan starting Thursday in Christchurch.
Head coach Brendon McCullum says New Zealand’s wickets will be better suited to England’s aggressive brand of cricket, known as the “Baz ball”, to crush his side on turning tracks in the final two Tests in Pakistan. After
“We were challenged there at times in very extreme conditions but hopefully we (New Zealand) can find a bit more to our liking,” McCollum said. But England have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 2008.
“We’re not nervous, we’re looking forward to the challenge. We like to play against the best teams and test ourselves.” “This is the international game — you want to see where you are and your game. Challenged and hopefully you will come out on top.”
New Zealand are brimming with confidence after sweeping the Test series 3-0 in India, ending the hosts’ 12-year unbeaten streak at home. “I think there’s a lot of expectation going into this series, in which New Zealand put in, in my opinion, the most outstanding performance in the history of New Zealand cricket,” said former New Zealand captain McCullum. Although England lost the series 2-1 after winning the first Test in Pakistan, McCullum remained largely loyal to the squad.
The only new face is Jacob Bethel, a 21-year-old who was named to bat at number three on Tuesday after wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was ruled out with a broken thumb. Regular number three Ollie Pope takes the gloves to bat at six, skipper Ben Stokes at seven.
First-choice wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is on paternity leave. New Zealand are riding high after their series win in India, achieved without their talisman Kane Williamson returning from injury to bolster their ranks.
A series sweep against England and lifting the inaugural Crow-Thorpe Trophy would put New Zealand on course for a World Test Championship final. They have the extra motivation to give veteran fast bowler and former captain Tim Southee a memorable send-off.
The long-serving New Zealand seamer made his debut against England in 2008 and is set to retire at the end of the three-match series. Southee is New Zealand’s second most successful Test wicket-taker with 385 dismissals, second only to Richard Headley’s 431.
Bethel will bat for three runs on England’s Test debut against New Zealand.
AFP
Jacob Bethel will bat at number three on his Test debut as England announce their squad for the series opener against New Zealand in Christchurch on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old was included in the squad for the opening match on Thursday after wicketkeeper Jordan Cox broke his right thumb during a net session. Regular number three Ollie Pope replaced Cox with the gloves and came in to bat at six, with skipper Ben Stokes at seven in the batting order.
Bethel, who has never batted higher than fourth in first-class cricket, where he averages 25.44, made his international debut in white-ball matches against Australia and the West Indies just two months ago. Joe Root is fourth, despite scoring 262 runs batting at number three in the first Test in Pakistan last month.
Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Bryden Carrs and all-rounder Stokes attack the pace on the Hagley Oval pitch, which traditionally features a green wicket favored by seamers. Shoaib Bashir is the only spinner.
New Zealand are yet to name their starting XI but could call on leading batsman Kane Williamson, who has returned from injury to star in the recent 3-0 Test series win in India. is given
England: Zach Crowley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethel, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brayden Carrs, Shoaib Bashir.
New Zealand (by): Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Dion Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Richan Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.