Is New Zealand vs England on TV? Start time, channel and how to watch second Test

Everything you need to know ahead of the second Test

Harry Latham-Coyle
Thursday 23 February 2023 22:38 GMT
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Harry Brook will be looking to continue a strong start to his England Test career
Harry Brook will be looking to continue a strong start to his England Test career (Getty Images)

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After a commanding victory in the first Test, England will hope to seal a 2-0 series victory as they take on New Zealand in Wellington.

Since the installation of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as captain and coach at the start of last summer, England have won ten of their eleven games, with an uber-positive approach continuing to pay considerable dividends.

A short tour concludes with the second Test, with New Zealand hoping to hit back after a disappointing showing in the series opener.

The Blackcaps could look to make chages, with seamer Matt Henry back available after the birth of his daughter.

Here’s everything you need to know:

When is the second Test between New Zealand and England?

The second Test of the two-match series will be held at Basin Reserve in Wellington, with five days of play scheduled from 24 February to 28 February. Unlike the first Test, the match will be played with conventional timings and with a red ball - action gets underway at 10pm GMT on Thursday 23 February in the United Kingdom (11am on 24 February local time).

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the 2nd Test live on BT Sport 3, with coverage of the first day’s play due to begin at 9.15pm GMT. Subscribers to BT Sport can watch via the app or online player.

Team news

New Zealand are boosted by the return to selection contention of Matt Henry, with the seam bowler likely to come straight back into the side after the safe arrival of a new child. Henry’s return is likely to squeeze out either Blair Tickner or Scott Kuggeleijn, who both had up-and-down debuts at Mount Maunganui. The Blackcaps could leave out both in favour of an extra batter in Will Young, with Daryl Mitchell offering a medium pace option in their top six, but are likely to stick with the balance of the team utilised in the first Test.

England had been likely to stick with the side that secured victory in the first Test, but a shin issue is a worry for Ollie Robinson. Stuart Broad starred with the ball in the second innings on his own return to the side from his own paternity leave and will again likely lead the seam attack alongside James Anderson, with Matt Potts and Olly Stone the options in the squad to replace Robinson if the Sussex bowler is ruled out. With a decision looming about where a fit-again Jonny Bairstow will slot in the batting order during the English summer, Zak Crawley and Ben Foakes will know they may need to impress.

Predicted line-ups

New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson.

Odds

New Zealand 9/4

Draw 3/1

England 24/19

Prediction

A slightly iffy weekend forecast could bring the draw into play, but England’s positive brand of cricket means a result is likely. New Zealand will surely bowl better in Wellington than in Mount Maunganui, though, and may just be able to burst England’s BazBall bubble to secure a drawn series. New Zealand to win by six wickets.

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