England announce their playing XI for 2nd Test vs New Zealand; Jacob Bethell's spot cleared

England has announced an unchanged XI for the second Test of the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, retaining the side that secured a dominant eight-wicket victory in the series opener at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The second Test between New Zealand and England will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from Thursday, December 6. Debutant Jacob Bethell was one of the standout performers in the Christchurch Test, playing a crucial unbeaten knock of 50 off just 37 balls in the fourth innings to help England chase down a modest target of 104 in just 12.4 overs.

England names unchanged XI for the second Test against New Zealand

Jacob Bethell batted at No. 3 for the first time in his first-class career of 20 matches, and he made 10 off 34 in the first innings, but in the second innings, the youngster impressed one and all.

His impressive debut has earned the 21-year-old another opportunity in the pivotal batting position of No. 3 for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

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However, there were discussions about potential changes, particularly with Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson available as a replacement for the injured Jordan Cox, but the England cricket team management decided to stick with Jacob Bethell at No. 3 and intact others as well.

This means Ollie Pope will again don the wicketkeeping gloves and bat at No. 6. England’s vice-captain has taken on keeping responsibilities overseas in the past.

His solid 77 at No. 6 in the first innings in Christchurch highlighted his adaptability, but Ollie Pope has expressed a preference for returning to the No. 3 position, where he has thrived under Ben Stokes' captaincy.

Chris Woakes hails Ollie Pope for his remarkable performance

For now, Pope remains a reliable option behind the stumps for the English team on the ongoing New Zealand tour after demonstrating sharp skills with a couple of key catches during the first Test match.

Ahead of the second Test against the Black Caps, Chris Woakes hailed Pope for his brilliant job as a wicketkeeper-batter.

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Chris Woakes stated in Wellington: “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.

For him to score runs just shows his character, putting his hand up for the team without any fuss and cracking on. To move to number six, get such a good score for us, and contribute to a big partnership was massive.”

Woakes also backed Zak Crawley to return to his form in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand after he was dismissed for a duck and 1 in the first Test. The opener now averages a dismal 9.88 against New Zealand in 17 innings of Test cricket.

Here’s England’s playing XI for the 2nd Test against New Zealand:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (WK), Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir