New Zealand have announced their squad for the Christchurch Test against Pakistan which will be played on January 3. Neil Wagner, who suffered fractured toes on his right foot while batting, has been ruled out of the Test at the Hagley Oval and has been replaced by Matt Henry. Henry has been in superb form during the recent series against Pakistan Shaheens as he picked up 6/53 in the first game. Matt Henry has also been in good form for Canterbury in the Shield tournament, taking seven wickets in the season so far. Speaking about the squad announcement, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Henry’s good form merited his selection.
“Matt has been in good form with the ball. We’re still a couple of days out from the test, so need to take a look at the surface while also assessing our options for best possible team make-up," coach Gary Stead said.
Wagner out for six weeks
Neil Wagner was hit on the foot by a yorker from Shaheen Afridi and he fractured his toes. However, despite the injury, Neil Wagner continued to bowl with pain and he had to take pain-killing injections as he delivered 49 overs. Neil Wagner also took four wickets and in the second innings, he got the crucial wicket of Fawad Alam who had slammed a century after 11 years.
New Zealand have won five consecutive Tests at home and are currently on top of the ICC points table in the latest Test rankings. Kane Williamson is the No.1 batsman in Tests and he will be aiming to ensure New Zealand win the Christchurch Test and ensure they stay in contention for the final of the 2021 ICC World Test Championship that will be played in Lord’s in June.
New Zealand squad for 2nd Test
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Will Young.
