The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named England playing XI for the second Test of the three-match series against New Zealand which will be played at Trent Bridge from June 10. England currently leads the series 1-0 after winning at Lord’s.
The ECB has gone in for an unchanged XI for the second Test as well, with Zak Crawley and Alex Lees opening the innings and Ollie Pope and Joe Root coming in after them.
Root was the Player of the Match for his 115* in the second innings at Lord’s and England will wish that he and Ollie Pope do well to lay a strong foundation for the rest of the batters. Ben Stokes was impressive with his captaincy on his debut and now the focus will be on winning the second Test match and pocketing the series.
Some pressure will be on Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes to score runs and provide the England batting with some solidarity.
Matthew Potts was highly impressive on his debut, picking 7 wickets in all and providing great support to James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who continues to wow with their skills and ability to adapt to conditions.
Jack Leach is fit to play after being substituted in the Lord’s Test as he had suffered a head injury while fielding. ECB stated that he continued his seven-day mandatory concussion return to play protocol and is fit to play in the match.
England XI for the second Test:
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
