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Christchurch: New Zealand have been forced to realign their bowling stocks in a bid for a rare series win over England with Todd Astle ruled out of the second Test starting in Christchurch on Friday.
Ish Sodhi was called up on Wednesday to replace Astle who suffered a side strain while mopping up England's second innings in the first Test where New Zealand put their full range of bowling options on display to win by an innings and 49 runs.
New Zealand only needed the swing of Trent Boult and Tim Southee to destroy England for 58 in the first innings.
But in the second innings they added the spin of Astle and the bouncers of Neil Wagner into the mix, with the pair taking three wickets apiece in a tight performance to roll the tourists for 320.
Since the first Test between New Zealand and England in 1938, New Zealand have only won two series and just one at home -- 34 years ago before any of the current team were born.
Going into the decider in this two-Test series -- on a Hagley Oval wicket that has hosted four previous Tests which all produced a result -- Black Caps coach Mike Hesson was adamant his side was looking for a clean sweep.
While New Zealand have won seven and drawn two of their past 10 Tests at home, England are on a 12-Test streak without a win which clearly has captain Joe Root bothered.
When the day-night Test ended on Monday, and Root was asked for his take on the tamper-gate involving Australia unfolding in South Africa, it was the last thing on his mind.
The fitness of Ben Stokes is also a cause for worry. The all-rounder was unable to bowl in the first Test, having hurt his back during the one-day international series earlier, and though his back held up fine during the four-and-a-half hour vigil in the second innings, when he scored 66 in 188 deliveries, there will be further checks ahead of the second Test.
The tourist set to dropped all rounders Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes
Teams from
New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill
England: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson, Liam Livingstone, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Ben Foakes
Pitch and conditions
This will be the fifth Test at the Hagley Oval. The pitch is known to offer bounce, although the lateral movement will be much less than what the teams got in Auckland.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
30 March to 3 April, 2018
Start time 11:00 local (22:00 GMT -1d)
