Cricket England unchanged for second Test, Henry returns to New Zealand | Duke FM | Play The Legends of Country

(Reuters) – England will play the same style with the same team in the second Test against New Zealand, skipper Ben Stokes confirmed on Thursday, while the hosts look set to bring Matt Henry into the bowling attack as they try to lift the series. .

The tourists cruised to a 267-run victory in Tauranga last weekend in the opening day-night Test with the ‘Bazball’ style of cricket they have played under Stokes and coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum.

Seamers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson all played key roles in the win and Stokes said it was pointless to send the same team to Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Friday after all three had indicated they were good.

“It was just a case of seeing how the bowlers pulled back and they’ve all pulled back pretty well, so yeah, unchanged team,” he told reporters.

“It’s a fine line between picking the strongest 11 and the bowlers you pick are 100%. Picking the team was pretty easy once they told me they were ready to go.

Last week’s win was England’s first Test in New Zealand since 2008 and they now have the chance to inflict a first home Test series defeat on the Black Caps in six years.

However, in keeping with the ‘baseball’ philosophy, Stokes said England would focus on playing entertaining cricket rather than the result.

“It would be great to leave here with a 2-0 series win, but I don’t think we’re going to go here to achieve that,” added Christchurch-born Stokes.

“I think we’ll try to play exactly the same cricket we’ve been playing for the last 10-12 months and if New Zealand are better than us this week then we can say that.”

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee has made it clear his side are delighted to be back playing red-ball cricket this week after being thoroughly outclassed by England in a pink-ball match at the Bay Oval.

Saumari added that New Zealand were unlikely to try to copy England’s aggressive style of play in the second and final Test in Wellington.

“You have to look at your side and try to work with what you have,” he told reporters.

“It works in England because of the composition of their side, but it’s about finding a way that works for us.

“We know these conditions reasonably well and I think that’s where your home record comes in.”

Home advantage in Test cricket usually involves preparing the passing game, although Stokes pointed out that former New Zealand Test captain McCullum would have a good idea of ​​what the grass track at Basin Reserve could serve.

Southee said there was unlikely to be any change to New Zealand’s top order, which had a poor return in Tauranga, but sidekick Henry, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his first child, was likely to return to the side.

“Matt has been a new-ball bowler for a while and has been in the Test side for a good long time, so I think he will slide back in,” he said.

“That’s a decision we’ll have to make once we get a proper look up and running.”

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney Editing by Stephen Coates)