Wellington, Dec 4
England have named an unchanged playing eleven for their second Test against New Zealand, set to begin at Basin Reserve in Wellington on December 6. England had won the first Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch after beating New Zealand by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
It means that vice-captain Ollie Pope will continue to be England's stand-in wicketkeeper for the second Test, with left-handed batter Jacob Bethell retaining his number three spot. Pope was solid in his wicketkeeping and hit 77 after shifting down to number six.
On the other hand, Bethell hit a rocking unbeaten fifty off 37 balls to finish England’s chase of 104 in 12.4 overs. Despite uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Robinson joining the team after Jordan Cox was ruled out due to a broken finger, England have resisted temptation to change the winning combination.
"They always say when you don't notice a keeper he's done a good job and Ollie certainly did that. He was brilliant last week, stepping into a role he hasn't done a lot of. Obviously he can keep and has done previously for England, but to step up at short notice like that and do the job he did was fantastic.