Published: May 25, 2013, 03:23 PM (IST)
Edited: May 25, 2013, 03:23 PM (IST)
The first day of play of the second Test was abandoned due to rain © Getty Images
Leeds: May 25, 2013
After the first day of the second Test was washed away due to rain, England skipper Alastair Cook won the toss on day two and elected to bat against visitors New Zealand on Saturday at Leeds.
New Zealand are up against a tough task of leveling the two-match Test series after being beaten comprehensively at Lord’s. The injuries to BJ Watling and Bruce Martin will prompt skipper Brendon McCullum to make some changes for the second Test starting on Friday.
On the other hand England will be eager to pocket one more victory to boost their confidence. James Anderson led from the front in the first innings reaching the 300-wicket club and Stuart Broad ran through the Kiwi batting lineup in the second essay.
However, the only worrying factor for the second ranked Test side will be their batting. While overcast conditions at Lord’s along with a formidable New Zealand bowling kept them at bay, Alastair Cook will be well aware that his batsmen need to strike in time ahead of the Ashes which will test them to the core.
Teams:
England: Alastair Cook (c), Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Steve Finn, Stuart Broad
New Zealand: Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (c & wk), Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult
Catch live scores and ball-by-ball commentary of the second Test match England vs New Zealand here
