Big Ben ready to fire as pink ball Test lurks for Eng in NZ
BRIT BOOST Allrounder, though, may just play as a batsman as he is nursing a back injury WELLINGTON:
: All-rounder Ben Stokes’ probable return is likely to be a major determinant in the makeup of his under-fire England team as New Zealand enters the pink-ball era with their first daynight test at home at Eden Park starting on Thursday.
Stokes missed the 4-0 Ashes series loss in Australia while he awaited the outcome of an investigation into an alleged assault. The 26-year-old entered a plea of not guilty via video link with a Bristol court on March 12. England have retained much the same squad that lost the Ashes and Stokes’ absence for that series was evident not just across the Tasman but when he returned to England’s ODI side against Kiwis earlier this month.
He was a major influence in the field, with several stunning catches and diving stops while he provided additional firepower as the batting all-rounder with 141 runs at an average of 47.
“It’s just having him in the side,” all-rounder Moeen Ali said. “Knowing we’ve got a much stronger side when he’s playing, it gives everyone else a good lift.
“I know he’s ready to go, and ready to perform, and give back to the team.” Stokes, however, has been battling a back injury sustained while diving when fielding during the one-day series and pending a fitness test may just play as a batsman, necessitating the need for an extra bowler.
Craig Overton and Mark Wood are then likely to be competing to join Chris Woakes, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Anderson and Broad’s new ball partnership, however, looks like it could be broken with Woakes and Wood sharing the responsibility with Anderson in a warm-up match in Hamilton that was played with both a pink and a red ball. Anderson said the decision appeared to be because captain Joe Root was contemplating a future without the pair, who have a combined 922 Test wickets between them and consistently opened the bowling for the last decade.
“Obviously he’s disappointed, he’s a very proud bloke and we have opened the bowling for a number of years,” Anderson said.
“He’s bowled first change in the past and I can see what Joe wants to do with looking to the future but also having that experience coming on first change.”
The 31-year-old Broad had a poor 2017 and took just 30 wickets in 11 matches last year at 38.80. However he has 399 Test wickets and should become the 15th player to pass the 400-milestone at Eden Park.
NEW ZEALAND
Test Captain ranking Kane Williamson Coach: Mike Hesson
RECENT FORM BeatWestIndies2-0athome
Lost South Africa 1-0 at home
Beat Bangladesh 2-0 at home
Beat Pakistan 2-0 at home
Lost India 3-0 away NZ won by 199 runs Leeds Eng won by 124 runs London Eng won by 247 runs Leeds
ENGLAND
Test Captain ranking Joe Root Coach: Trevor Bayliss RECENT FORM
Lost Australia 4-0 away
Beat West Indies 2-1 at home Beat South Africa 3-1 at home Lost India 4-0 away
Drew Bangladesh 1-1 away Eng won by 170 runs London Match drawn Auckland Match drawn Wellington Match drawn Dunedin Win Eng won by inngs, 9 runs Nottingham Draw
Eng won by 6 wkts Manchester Match drawn London