Squad Updates: New Zealand v England

New Zealand have called up Ish Sodhi while England ponder changes for the Second Test.

Sodhi is set for his 15th Test cap at Christchurch after Todd Astle was ruled out through injury.

Ish Sodhi has been called into the Blackcaps squad. 

Astle, who claimed three wickets in England's second-innings at Auckland has a side strain that reportedly will not recover in time for selection.

The prolific T20 and one-day leg-spinner is in after career-best match figures of 12-62 for his side Northern Districts.

Blackcaps head coach Mike Hesson said “Through some incredibly hard work, Todd’s already overcome some injuries this summer, so for this to happen now is a cruel blow,”

“Todd played a major role in helping us win the game at Eden Park, so it’s disappointing for Todd and the team that he’s forced to the sideline ahead of Friday.”

Meanwhile, after England's humiliating innings defeat in Auckland, their fifth in their last 10 overseas Test matches, changes have been made.

Jack Leach should make his debut in Christchurch.
Credit - The Cricketer

Moeen Ali, who has received a lot of criticism for his ineffectiveness in the past two winters abroad, has been dropped for the first time in his Test career.

This leaves a place for England to play a specialist spinner in Jack Leach, a bowler who has certainly earned his call-up to the Test squad with 116 county championship wickets in the previous two seasons.

The Tourists have also made changes to their quick bowling attack.

Mark Wood can improve a poor England bowling attack.
Credit - The Cricketer

Exclusively right-arm 80-85mph bowlers is not the right way to go and although Mark Wood is a right-armer, he can certainly generate the pace to make the NZ batsmen uncomfortable.

With Chris Woakes dropping out, Wood is expected to take his place.

There were also calls for Liam Livingstone to be brought into the middle-order if Ben Stokes can bowl in this Test and Ben Foakes given to gloves to allow Jonny Bairstow to concentrate on his batting.

But without either of these in the 12-man squad, only serious injury would see them involved.


Expected Teams for the Second Test at Hagley Oval Christchurch:
New Zealand;
Raval, Latham, Williamson, Taylor, Nicholls, Watling, de Grandhomme, Southee, Sodhi, Wagner, Boult.

England;
Cook, Stoneman, Root, Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Overton, Broad, Wood, Leach, Anderson