Less than a yr after beating India on the identical venue to say the inaugural WTC trophy, New Zealand’s 5-wicket defeat on Sunday left them seventh within the standings and one other setback at Trent Bridge may show terminal for their title defence.
The Black Caps may do with all arms on deck to show issues round, however are unlikely to have all-rounder Collin de Grandhomme obtainable for the match beginning Friday after he suffered a heel harm whereas bowling on day three.
Wicket-keeper Tom Blundell displays on the primary Test towards @englandcricket and appears forward to Friday’s second Te… https://t.co/64tIDLChEr
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) 1654448100000
New Zealand have choices to cowl De Grandhomme’s tempo bowling however might miss his decrease order batting.
The Black Caps’ issues are greater up the order, although.
The high 4 produced solely 50 runs at Lord’s, with captain Kane Williamson‘s lengthy-awaited return from a difficult elbow harm falling flat with scores of two and 15.
Congratulations @root66 👏 https://t.co/64mZKorMgm
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) 1654426834000
The opening mixture of Tom Latham and Will Young has change into an issue. Neither batsman has scored greater than 15 runs in a knock of their final three Tests.
Even with these deficiencies, New Zealand had the match of their arms on day three at 250 for 4, solely to lose their final six wickets for 34 runs and pave the way in which for century-maker Joe Root to information England to an unlikely win.
New Zealand head north to Nottingham with some positives, with center order batsman Daryl Mitchell (108) and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (96) having mixed for an impressive 195-run stand within the third innings.
Selectors will hope Henry Nicholls has recovered from his calf harm and may add metal to the highest order.
Yet it can take various cameo performances to show the collection round for a staff that has struggled to constantly play as a unit since their unlikely WTC triumph final June.
