Kane Williamson Confirms New Zealand’s Playing XI For Second Test

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, confirmed his playing XI for the second Test against England, starting March 29th.

Ish Sodhi coming in place of an injured Tod Astle was the only change in the side.

This means that Martin Guptill, who was called in the side s a cover or Ross Taylor, will have to wait for his Test comeback.

Matt Henry will continue to carry drinks as the pace department, comprising of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner have been retained.

Jeet Raval will open the innings with Tom Latham with Williamson coming in at number three.

Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, and BJ Watling will succeed the top three batsmen.

Colin de Grandhomme, who went wicketless in 24 overs, has been retained.

The incoming of Sodhi in the side was a forced change as Astle is suffering from a side strain.

This will be Sodhi’s first Test after one and a half year.

He last played a Test against India in Kanpur – the first game of the three-match Test series.

New Zealand will hope to post a win and whitewash England – after losing the ODI series.

The duo of Boult and Southee ran through England’s batting order in the first innings of the first Test by bowling them out on a mere total of 58.

New Zealand posted 427 on the board to gain a huge lead of 369 runs.

Continues rain in the last couple of days jeopardized New Zealand’s hopes but in the end, they were able to bowl England out on 320 to win the game by an innings and 49 runs.

Talking of England, they have also made a couple of changes in the side.

Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali have been dropped from the playing XI for the next Test.

The second Test of the series starts on March 30 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

New Zealand playing XI: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (Captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.