England’s tour of New Zealand got off to a fantastic start as they romped to a comfortable eight wicket win in the first Test, a result that means the Black Caps hopes of a place in the final of the World Test Championship are no longer in their own hands as the sides head for Wellington. Jonhenry Wilson preveiws.
New Zealand v England – Second Test
6 – 10 December 2024
Basin Reserve, Wellington
After their series whitewash of India, in India, the first Test was something of a rude wake-up call for New Zealand who were always struggling after they lost the toss and were asked to bat. They scored a solid enough 348 in the first innings, but after Ben Stokes’ men replied with 499, the Kiwis couldn’t find their way back into the game.
The toss will be important again at Basin Reserve where in the last 13 Tests the side batting second has won 53.8 percent of the time. With 15.4 percent of the venue’s games ending in a draw it is not impossible to win when batting first, but it’s clearly not easy.
Basin Reserve is a ground that holds special memories for New Zealand. It is the place where in 2014 they overturned a first-innings deficit of 246 runs against India to emerge with a lead of 242 to draw the Test and win the series. Their remarkable turnaround was built around a knock by current England coach and former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum who became the first Kiwi to score a triple century with his knock of 302. That knock may or may not have a bearing on Friday’s Test, and if it does it’s hard to know which side will take more from it.
To Win Match
New Zealand 11/10 | Draw 8/1 | England 11/1
Kane Williamson is back, and he was in the runs in the first Test. Williamson went into the first Test as the second-ranked batsman in the world. Despite a first-innings knock of 92 against England he goes into the second Test ranked third – the man who has moved ahead of him, none other than England’s first-innings centurion Harry Brook who scored 171.
While New Zealand’s batting is solid they looked a bit underdone in the bowling department. It goes without saying that the England batting line-up is tough to bowl to, but the Kiwis didn’t make it hard enough. Veteran Tim Southee is not the bowler he once was. At almost 36 years old he is due to retire from cricket at the end of the series and while he will be giving it his all to go out on a high, sometimes, when you want it too much, it just doesn’t go your way.
Matt Henry was the pick of the home sides’ bowlers, which is not surprising given his world ranking of 10 but he will need to bring more if New Zealand hope to thwart England. Will O’Rourke is undoubtedly talented. He is quick and tall, and he offers a lot but with just eight Tests to his name he is still finding his way. If he fires, he could make it tough for the tourists.
With Joe Root and one and Harry Brook at two in the ICC Test batting rankings England’s batting line-up is formidable. Ben Duckett is there in 12th place as the England batting line-up starts to look increasingly formidable. Ben Stokes is always dangerous; Ollie Pope is in good form and youngster Jacob Bethell made a 50 in his debut Test. That’s a serious top order to make your way through if you are a bowler.
If there is a weak link in the England batting it could be said to be Zak Crawley who made just one run across two innings in the first Test. Since scoring 189 against Australia at Old Trafford in July 2023 he has failed to make three figures in his next 23 innings. In recent times he has failed more than he has contributed, and he will be hopeful of at the very least passing 50 for the first time in seven knocks.
Playing in just his third Test Brydon Carse was a star for England at Hagley Oval, returning match figures of 10 for 106. An undefeated first innings knock of 33 underscored his value and like fellow newcomer Jacob Bethell he will be looking to build on his stellar first Test showing.
What’s very significant about Carse’s effort is that it was the first time in 12 years that an England bowler has taken a ten-for overseas – and to find the last time an England quick achieved the feat you have to go back to 2008 when Ryan Sidebottom grabbed 10 in Hamilton. It’s a remarkable achievement if you consider that neither of England’s bowling legends James Anderson nor Stuart Broad were able to manage it.
Verdict: England 11/10
England’s first Test win was the second time in 11 matches that England had managed a win in New Zealand. But with their batting looking strong, with New Zealander Brendon McCullum running the show and with Stokes getting the best out of his good mate Carse, this one could go to England again – but that said, the toss could be decisive.
