One match down in the two match Test series against England, New Zealand have injury worries to two key middle-order batsmen, ahead of the second and final Test at Headingley Leeds, scheduled to start on Friday.
Both all-rounder Corey Anderson, and first choice wicket-keeper BJ Watling, picked up injuries during the sensational Lord’s Test, are struggling to be fit in time for Friday’s contest.
Watling is rated as having no more than a 50/50 chance of taking his place in the starting line up. He injured a knee on the first day at Lord’s, which prevented him from keeping wicket during the rest of the game, handing the gloves to opening batsman, Tom Latham. He did manage to contribute over 100 runs to his team’s cause however, with 61 not out in the first innings, and 59 in the second as the Black Caps attempted to save the match.
If Watling fails to recover, Kiwi coach Mike Hesson will have the choice of either retaining Latham behind the stumps, who snapped six catches at Lord’s, or bringing in Luke Ronchi for a Test debut.
Despite a back injury that meant he bowled just three overs during England’s second innings, Anderson also made a decent contribution with the bat in the second innings, despite the losing cause, he scored 67.
However, with such a quick turnaround between Tests, the momentum going to Leeds is with the home side, and having recovered from 30-4 on the first morning, confidence will be flowing through an England team that went into the Lord’s Test under so many different clouds surrounding off field matters.
No doubt that the most mouth watering prospect for the Leeds public, will be the performance of Ben Stokes. The Durham all-rounders Man of the Match performance, 92 in the first innings and then the fastest ever Test hundred at Lord’s 101, and three wickets on the final afternoon, has ignited the summer’s international programme, ahead of the Ashes series later in the season