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Which seamer should Stead leave out for Blackcaps' second Test against England?
Sport Nation • December 5th, 2024 10:00 am
Photo: Photosport
As Gary Stead prepares to name his side for the second test against England in Wellington, one of the most intriguing decision centres around the composition of his bowling attack.
The New Zealanders featured four seamers in their group in Christchurch, with no requirement for spin given the typically green conditions on offer at Hagley Oval.
But with the teams now shifting to the more spin-friendly climes of the Basin Reserve, India tour hero Mitchell Santner has returned to the squad and seems likely to bring the left-armer into the mix.
Ex-New Zealand Test opener Mark Richardson believes the Blackcaps need to return to a more varied make-up this week in the capital.
"I think you have to go back to looking at a more balanced bowling attack, which is three seamers and a spin bowler," Richardson said on Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.
"Your three best seamers in the country and your best spin bowler."
There will be little debate over who occupies the mantle of New Zealands premier spinner.
Santner's last outing in whites returned 13 wickets to secure the Blackcaps' maiden Test series victory - the third best figures in the country's history.
The question then becomes, who of the seamers would Santner replace?
Basin Reserve looks a picture ahead of Blackcaps v England second Test
The two main candidates will likely be retiring veteran Tim Southee or newcomer Nathan Smith, with Will O'Rourke and Matt Henry probably locked in to start.
Southee - who snared a brace of wickets in the first Test against England - would be a difficult omission for Stead given the sentimentality involved, with the 35-year-old playing his final Test series for New Zealand before drawing the curtain on his great career.
But Smith was one of the few highlights for the New Zealanders at Hagley Oval, taking three wickets - including a pair in the same over - during a head-turning opening foray with the red ball.
If not for the Blackcaps' well publicised catching woes, he may well have had a five-for on debut.
Richardson suggests Stead could traverse the sensitive Southee swansong issue by offering him a guaranteed role for the third and final Test in Hamilton, where he's traditionally been superb in the swing-friendly conditions on offer.
That would allow Smith to come in on his home patch in Wellington, where he has a fantastic track record with the Firebirds.
"You might say, 'look, we're going to rest you for this one, but you will play the next one and we want you fresh.It's your final game'.
"In that sticky, humid Hamilton the ball swings. He's been a wonderful bowler there and I would probably play him there.
"Maybe he goes horses for courses. Smith at home. He's been very successful at the Basin.
The second Test against England begins on Friday.
Listen to the full 'Deep Dive' below:
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