New Zealand vs Pakistan: Matt Henry replaces injured Neil Wagner in NZ squad for the second Test against Pakistan
New Zealand have included Matt Henry in the squad for the second Test against Pakistan starting in Christchurch on Sunday, in place of the injured Neil Wagner.
Wagner was hurt while batting in the first Test, despite which he bowled in both innings. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks, New Zealand coach Gary Stead revealed on Friday.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Matt Henry brings Test experience and local knowledge to the squad.
“Matt has been in good form with the ball having recently taken 6-53 for New Zealand A against the Pakistan Shaheens (A side) in December.
“We’re still a couple of days out from the Test, so need to take a look at the surface. While also assessing our options for best-possible team make-up,” Stead said.
Wagner was hit by a Shaheen Afridi yorker on Sunday but he overcame the injury to bowl in both the innings for New Zealand.
Neil Wagner bowled with the broken toes on Tuesday and came back to bowl on Wednesday. The left-arm pacer, as usual, gave it his all but this time, taking pain killers.
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Wagner finished with 2 wickets and bowled 28 overs. The most among the 6 bowlers used by Kane Williamson in the final innings of the Test.
The Boxing Day Test match had plenty of drama and Pakistan showed character as they took the match to the final day before losing their last wicket with just 4.3 overs to go.
New Zealand kept the pressure even as the pitch flattened out as captain. Kane Williamson gave his bowlers 4 sessions to bowl Pakistan out with an early declaration.
Fawad Alam completed a remarkable comeback story with a 4th-innings hundred. However, it was Neil Wagner’s courage that stole the show in the 1st Test of the 2-match series.
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Source: IndiaToday