England name an unchanged team for second Test with New Zealand

Ben Stokes named an unchanged squad for England’s final Test assignment of the winter, saying his bowlers were ‘licking their lips’ at the sight of a green Basin Reserve pitch.

Sportsmail revealed that England were considering making changes to a bowling line-up that had reported aches and pains after the crushing first Test win at Mount Maunganui, with Ollie Robinson looking particularly stiff in training on Wednesday.

But Stokes said a quick consultation with Robinson, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad had confirmed they were ready and that all three will take on New Zealand here in a second and final Test which starts at 10pm UK time on Thursday.

“It wasn’t necessarily touch and go with the bowlers,” Stokes said as rain and wind battered the Basin Reserve on Thursday.

“It’s just been a cold lead-up period compared to the first game.

Bowlers Stuart Broad (left) and Jimmy Anderson (right) will play in an unchanged England squad for the second and final Test match with New Zealand.

Captain Ben Stokes (right) also confirmed that Ollie Robinson (left) was the first to play for Wellington.

It’s time for the boys to take the stiffness out of their bodies. We had to listen to the bowlers who played in the last game to see how they were doing and they are absolutely fine.

The pitch at this famous old course looked as green as the outfield on Wednesday and was kept indoors today.

More rain is forecast for Wellington on the first two days of the Test, which should create perfect conditions for seam bowling in the early stages.

“It looks like the wicket lines have been painted in the outfield, but I think that’s what the pitches look like here in the Basin,” said the England captain.

“You can’t read too much because the ball can move, but it can also be incredibly flat here.” Wicket pace can be a great advantage for batsmen.

‘Not going to lie, the bowlers were smacking their lips when they saw it. They may have been stiff yesterday, but after looking around the field they felt a bit looser. Everyone is looking forward to bowling this week.

The England squad means Anderson and Broad will play together on the ground where they first came together as a partnership 15 years ago when Michael Vaughan and Peter Moores decided to leave Ashes heroes Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard behind.

Jimmy Anderson helped England to victory at Mount Maunganui with four wickets

Anderson, Broad and Jack Leach pictured on the nets ahead of the second Test on Friday

The Basin Reserve turf was covered before the game with rain forecast for the next few days

And, with England’s next overseas Test assignment not coming until they take on India in a five-match series starting next January, it could possibly be the last time the pair who now boast 1,009 wickets of tandem test play together abroad for England.

“You could say 15 years is a long time ago, but when you’re world class you expect people to play for 15 years,” Stokes said.

‘Those two are an incredible example that people can aspire to. Not just the kids watching the game, but the players who are on this team now, aspiring to achieve what those two have done. Having Jimmy and Broady on the team is a great luxury.’

Anderson, surprisingly, will return to the event at the top of the world rankings in 40th place. “I just can’t see him stopping,” added Stokes. ‘Whenever he shows up there, he’s one of the main guys you throw the ball to when you need a wicket. It’s just relentless.

“I know those ratings don’t mean a lot to people, but in our opinion, he’s been one of the best, if not the best, for longer than the ratings say anyway.”