Ben Sears set to make his Test debut for New Zealand in 2nd match vs Australia
Updated - 07 Mar 2024, 04:05 PM
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New Zealand captain Tim Southee confirmed that Ben Sears will make his Test debut during the second and final Test against Australia. Tim Southee expressed excitement about Ben Sears’ inclusion in the team, stating that he could make an impact at the Test level.
Ben Sears will replace Will O’Rourke in the playing XI for the upcoming match, which is set to be played at Hagley Oval, starting on Friday, March 8. O’Rourke sustained a hamstring injury during the series opener and was ruled out of the must-win clash in Christchurch.
Head coach Gary Stead chose Sears over Neil Wagner for the second Test, despite speculation about Wagner’s return from retirement. Sears has limited experience in first-class cricket, having taken 58 wickets at an impressive average of 27.03 in 19 red-ball matches.
Ben Sears Offers Real Pace – Tim Southee
On the eve of the Test, Tim Southee highlighted Ben Sears’ potential in delivering pace, noting that he had already showcased glimpses of his talent in T20Is against Bangladesh.
“He’s obviously had a little taste of international cricket in the other formats. He offers real pace. We saw him clock 150kph earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh so we’re excited to see what he’s got at his level. He’s a tall fella. He’s got pace,” Southee said.
“He’s got something about him. Obviously, with the job that Will O’Rourke did in a couple of Test matches he played, again another tall guy with a bit of pace and a bit of skill about him. We’re excited to see what Ben’s got. It’s a special time for him as well,” he added.
The home team fielded four seamers and two part-timers, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, in the first Test. The team suffered a 172-run loss in the series opener in Wellington. The Black Caps haven’t finalized their bowling combination for the final Test match.
Hopefully, There’s Some To Come – Tim Southee
Tim Southee acknowledged his recent Test performances as disappointing, expressing a desire for improved performance.
“But there’s no hiding from the fact that the last couple of Test matches have been disappointing. I know that. I’d always like more wickets. And hopefully, there’s some to come,” Southee further added.
“I’ve felt okay at times. Sometimes you feel good and you don’t get the wickets. Sometimes you feel not so good and you actually pick up a few wickets. So I think it’s just about trusting your game. Trusting what you do.”
Australia has maintained consistency by sticking with an unchanged XI for the fourth consecutive Test match. The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will play in all seven Tests of the season against Pakistan, the West Indies, and New Zealand.
Australian team management backed players like Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, despite their overall success. The players need to address this area of concern to improve their performance.
Also read: Matt Henry, Tim Seifert ruled out of Australia T20Is; Ben Sears, Will Young named replacements
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Australia National Cricket Team Ben Sears IND vs ENG 2024 New Zealand national cricket team Tim Southee
