NEW FACES AFTER LOSS
ENGLAND’s humiliating innings defeat by New Zealand could actually be good news for at least two players in the tourists’ camp.
Joe Root’s side slumped to their fifth defeat in six Tests over the winter and extended their winless away run to 12 matches – their worst sequence since the Second World War.
It was also the fifth time they have been beaten by an innings in their last eight overseas Tests.
It all adds up to a recipe for change in Friday’s second Test, with Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone and Somerset off-spinner Jack Leach the most likely beneficiaries.
There could also be a recall for Mark Wood, with Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton the men in danger.
Not even the weather, which wiped out 141 overs of the game, could save Root’s team after they were routed for 58 on day one.
Battle
They at least showed some fight on the fifth day as half-centuries from Ben Stokes and Woakes helped England battle through 79.1 overs to take the contest into the final session.
They started the final day with seven wickets in hand but the early loss of Dawid Malan set the tone and Jonny Bairstow and Moeen followed before the first interval.
Stokes and Woakes frustrated New Zealand for most of the middle session before the former was bounced out by Neil Wagner on the stroke of dinner.
The final three wickets then fell inside 55 minutes of the final session to seal England’s fate.
Moeen’s contribution was 17 wicketless overs and 28 runs with the bat following on from a poor Ashes series.
His place could go to Livingstone, while fast bowler Wood must be given a chance to prove he has overcome his injury problems.
Leach has been the best spinner in county cricket for two seasons and should be given an opportunity after being dragged halfway round the world.
The only possible complication is the fitness of Stokes, who is doubtful for the final Test after his back injury flared up during his innings of 66.