Ben Sears ready for Test debut in Christchurch

New Zealand captain Tim Southee has confirmed that Wellington seamer Ben Sears will make his Test debut in the second Test against Australia, which is all set to start on Friday (March 8) in Christchurch. The 26-year-old speedster will come in to replace Will O’Rourke, who was ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury in New Zealand’s 172-run defeat in the opening Test as well.

“He’s got something about him” – Tim Southee on Ben Sears

“Offers real pace. We saw him clock 150 (kmh) earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh, so excited to see what he’s got at test level,” Tim 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.”

However, Southee didn’t confirm whether this will be the only change for them as well. Notably, New Zealand decided to play an extra seamer in Scott Kuggeleijn on a green-looking track in Wellington and dropped left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. The decision backfired as the pitch helped Nathan Lyon, who became the first spinner since Muttiah Muralitharan in 2006 to claim a 10-wicket match haul in New Zealand.

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While conditions at the Hagley Oval have helped the pace bowlers, Kuggeleijn wasn’t helpful enough at Wellington and took 2 for 87 in the first innings. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain, Tim Southee who will become the first pace bowler to feature in 100 games in each of the three international formats this week, has claimed just four wickets from his three Tests this year which came at an average of 80.25.

“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” – Tim Southee

“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.”

“I’ve felt okay at times. Sometimes you feel good and you don’t get the wickets. Sometimes you feel not so good and you actually pick up a few wickets. So I think it’s just about trusting your game. Trusting what you do. But there’s no hiding from the fact that the last couple of Test matches have been disappointing. I know that. I’d always like more wickets. And hopefully, there’s some to come,” he concluded.