(Cricket News) The pacer from Wellington, Ben Sears is all set to make his test debut in the 2nd test against Australia at Christchurch. Tim Southee, the New Zealand skipper confirmed that Ben would come in place of the injured O’Rourke, who has been ruled out of the series because of a hamstring injury.
Apart from this one change, the Kiwi skipper did not confirm on any other possible shuffling in the 11. Scott Kuggeleijn, was preferred by New Zealand as an extra pace-bowling option in the first test, on a green wicket, which made a class bowler like Santner sit out. The decision to some extent did backfire the Kiwis, as the wicket did offer some good assistance to Nathan Lyon.
Ben Sears would be an interesting prospect to watch out for in the second test, given that the New Zealand pace bowling attack hasn’t been up to the mark.
“Offers real pace. We saw him clock 150 (kmph) earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh, so excited to see what he’s got at test level,” Southee said about Ben Sears on the eve of the Test. “He’s a tall fella. He’s got pace, he’s got something about him. Obviously the job Will O’Rourke did in the couple of test matches he played… again another tall guy with a bit of pace and skill about him, so excited to see what Ben has got.”
Tim Southee hasn’t been at his best as well. He has been struggling with his own bowling form which has made the selection conundrum for New Zealand more exacerbated. Southee has just taken four wickets in his three test this year at an average of 80.25, which is an awful record for a class act like Tim Southee.
Speaking about his own form Southee said, “You always want to be performing at your best and I think there’s no hiding from the fact that the currency we deal in as a bowler is wickets, and the last three Test matches I haven’t got the wickets I would have liked,” he said.
“I still feel like there’s more to it. There’s roles within that as well. I have probably not been where I should be as the most experienced bowler of the side. But like everyone, each week you’re trying to get better. Each week you’re trying to go out and put your best foot forward. Prepare as well as you can to give yourself the best chance and that’s the same over the last couple of days. I’ve done that.
