Astle out, Ish in for Black Caps
Todd Astle’s out, Ish Sodhi is in and it’s likely the Black Caps will be forced to elevate Tim Southee to No 8 for the second and final test against England.
Astle’s rotten luck - the leg spinner picked up a side strain bowling in the first test in Auckland - means fellow leg spinner Sodhi is in line to play his 15th test, and first since September 2016, starting at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Friday.
Despite Astle snaring 3-39 as the Black Caps dismissed England on Monday to record just their 10th test victory over their old rivals, there will be those who feel the team is now as it should be.
After all, there was no shortage of people moaning about the selectors’ decision to opt for Astle over Sodhi when Mitchell Santner was ruled out for up to nine months with a knee injury in the lead up to the first test. There were cases for both spinners, and those on team Astle much preferred the prospect of the Cantabrian batting at No 8 over Southee.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen didn’t flat out say it was the deciding the factor, but he may as well have when he said “having someone like Todd who can bat No 8 is an advantage”.
NZ’s second test squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry.