After a humiliating innings defeat at the hands of New Zealand all-rounders, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes have faced the axe for the 2^nd Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. England was blown away for a mere 58 runs in the 1^st innings of the previous and could never really recover from there. English skipper Joe Root named a 12 man squad for the 2^nd Test. The squad consists of a solitary spinner in the form of left-arm spinner Jack Leach.

England will either employ an all-pace attack or will give a break to Leach. Mark Wood might be joining the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Craig Overton. With England’s batting not being in the best, it looks unlikely that the Craig Overton would be axed. His batting has been better than many specialist batsmen in the recent past.

Chris Woakes Australia England Ashes — Woakes’ ability to bowl and bat has kept gates closed for an extra seamer in the side like Mark Wood in the Ashes. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

England Test squad: Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Mark Wood.