NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) – England gained the toss and elected to bowl in opposition to a modified New Zealand aspect rocked by the absence of captain Kane Williamson for what might be a decisive second test at Trent Bridge on Friday.
England have been unchanged from the group that gained by 5 wickets at Lord’s on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match sequence.
“Generally right here the wicket tends to get higher as the sport goes on, (so it is) good to get them in early and put some stress on and get Jimmy (Anderson) and Broady going with the brand new ball,” mentioned captain Ben Stokes.
Tom Latham takes over as New Zealand captain after main batsman Williamson examined constructive for COVID-19 and went into isolation on the eve of the match.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has additionally been dominated out of the remainder of the sequence due to a heel damage sustained in the opening match and the guests made three modifications for Trent Bridge.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell was handed his test debut as de Grandhomme’s substitute in the center order whereas Matt Henry returns in place of Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls fills the hole left by Williamson.
Latham mentioned he would have additionally opted to bowl, given the situations.
England spinner Jack Leach, who suffered concussion and was withdrawn on the opening day of the primary test, was handed match to play.
“It was very unlucky for him final week however he is completely wonderful,” mentioned Stokes.
The remaining test is at Headingley from June 23.
Teams:
England: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonathan Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, enhancing by Toby Davis)
