Just 21 months ago, New Zealand scripted a thrilling one-run victory over England at the Basin Reserve, leveling the two-match series. Now, with a similar 1-0 deficit, the hosts are hoping for a repeat performance to deny England their first series win in New Zealand since 2008.
Both teams were penalized three points for slow over-rates in the first Test, a decision that irked England captain Ben Stokes. This setback has further complicated New Zealand’s World Test Championship qualification hopes, necessitating a series win to stay in contention.
New Zealand’s batting and fielding performances in the first Test were subpar, with Devon Conway and Tom Blundell struggling to find form. The team also dropped eight catches, gifting Harry Brook valuable lives during his match-defining 171. However, the return of Kane Williamson provided a much-needed boost, with the former captain scoring two half-centuries.
England, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their dominant performance in Christchurch. Harry Brook’s century and Brydon Carse’s ten-wicket haul were instrumental in their victory, while contributions from Ollie Pope and debutant Jacob Bethell further solidified their dominance.
Match Details:
- Date: December 6-10, 2024
- Time: 11:00 AM Local Time | 10 PM GMT (Dec 5) | 3:30 AM IST
- Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Pitch and Conditions:
Wellington is expected to offer a green, pace-friendly pitch, favoring bowlers. The weather forecast predicts sunny conditions with occasional showers on the third day. The captain winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.
Team News:
New Zealand:
- Probable XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (C), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell (wk), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke
England:
- Confirmed XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir
What They Said:
Tom Latham, the New Zealand captain, expressed frustration over the over-rate penalties, stating, “Certainly a challenge to get through those 15 overs now. Maybe that’s something that does need to be reviewed.”
