NZ look to win series without Williamson
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson will be rested for the second Test against England, starting today, due to a left elbow injury, with Tom Latham to lead the side in his absence, the team's head coach Gary Stead said on Wednesday.
Batsman Will Young will take Williamson's spot in the batting lineup while seamer Trent Boult is available for selection. Edgbaston will offer New Zealand their best chance of winning a rare Test series in England as an already depleted home squad battles the social media storm surrounding historic racist and sexist tweets with the controversy having the potential to consume a large chunk of their players in the summer. After the suspension of Oliver Robinson pending investigation into his racist tweets dated back to 2012-2013, the names of several other England players have made the headlines for posting similar comments.
A win for New Zealand will not only reward them with a series win in England – their first since 1999 – but also give them momentum and confidence going into the World Test Championship Final against India which starts at Southampton from the 18th of June. The first Test at Lord's was drawn as the entire third day was washed out.
A youthful England batting line-up struggled in the first test against a wily New Zealand pace bowling attack and were indebted to opener Rory Burns, who hit 132 with England under pressure.
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