NZ vs AUS: Ben Sears to debut against Australia in Christchurch Test, to replace injured Will O'Rourke
NZ vs AUS: Ben Sears to debut against Australia in Christchurch Test, to replace injured Will O'Rourke
New Zealand will hand a debut to Wellington starlet Ben Sears as the Blackcaps announced the introduction of the pacer in place of injured Will O'Rourke on Thursday (Mar 7). Sears, who has played 13 T20Is for the national side will have big shoes to fill as New Zealand try to comeback in the two-match Test series. The hosts are currently trailing 1-0 in the series having lost the Wellington Test by 172 runs last week.
Ben Sears to debut
"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 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."
The inclusion of Sears also brings to an end the mini-saga surrounding the unexpected return of Neil Wagner. Skipper Tim Southee had earlier stated that they could welcome Wagner back if needed as they struggle to field a replacement. The veteran speedster had announced his retirement from international cricket after the Wellington Test and was the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the red-ball format.
The hosts had seen O'Rourke ruled out of the second Test after sustaining an injury in the opening Test. Scott Kuggeleijn’s inclusion in the side could be another debate as the plan to include him in the side backfired during the Wellington Test.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
The greatest fighter jets that never flew: Top 8 cancelled fighter jets that had serious potential
)
'Powerful people want that list suppressed': Elon Musk FURIOUS over Trump's 'Epstein Files a hoax' remark - Is he hinting at POTUS?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who rules the skies? Meet top 10 nations with most advanced fighter jets
)
'Not those who fear war': Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's BIG warning as he rejects 'external party' intervention in Druze conflict
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
US tried to shoot down this jet 100 times, failed every time! Here’s why
)
Who cut off the crashed Air India plane's fuel switches? Report makes startling claim
)
‘I come from a place where no one expects you to succeed’: J&K's Saqlain Tariq on breaking barriers in Volleyball
)
Chinese woman kicked out of college for sex with Ukrainian gamer getting hate online. 'Some mistakes are...'
)
She seduces and blackmails: Who is Seeka 'Miss Golf', woman allegedly behind Thailand monk sex blackmailing scandal who had 5,600 videos on phones?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 must-watch psychological thriller series you can't miss on Netflix, Prime and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Stimulus payments worth $300 to $1,700 coming in July: Do you qualify? Here's how you can claim your rebate
)
'Swollen fingers, bruised hand, marks on ankles': Trump's photos from FIFA sparks rumours about his health - Here's the truth
)
Why is there no MRP in US? Here's how American pricing works
New Zealand’s quest for WTC final
Having won the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021, the former champions made a good start to the current cycle before they were brought down by the defending champions. New Zealand’s defeat to Australia in Wellington has seen them surrender the top spot to India and they now sit second. Australia, on the other hand, are third in the WTC standings and will play their 12th Test match of the cycle starting on Friday in Christchurch.