At a glance

Kane Williamson (captain), Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry. First test at Eden Park, Auckland (day-night) Second test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Hesson, Watling’s fitness was the only missing piece of the puzzle until Santner’s injury worsened.

Questions remained about Santner’s wicket-taking ability at test level but he was set to continue as New Zealand’s solitary slow bowler for the two England tests, starting with the Auckland day-nighter next Thursday.

Larsen said a player of Astle’s quality helped lessen the blow of Santner’s injury.

‘‘Having another spin bowling allrounder in Todd is of real benefit for us and he’ll be looking forward to his opportunity.’’

Astle’s only two tests were against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012, and Pakistan in Christchurch in November 2016.

He’s bowled just 35 overs at test level and taken a solitary wicket, but was among the country’s top first-class wicket-takers for Canterbury in recent seasons.

Key batsman Ross Taylor, who missed the ODI decider with a thigh injury, is expected to be fit but won’t play this weekend’s twoday warmup game for NZ XI against England as scheduled.

Test specialists Jeet Raval, Watling and Neil Wagner return as New Zealand eye their first test since the 240-run win over West Indies in Hamilton in December.