Bell, Swann fit for second New Zealand Test

Published May 21, 2013
Bell had been the biggest doubt after coming down with influenza during England's first-Test victory at Lord's last week. -Photo by AP
Bell had been the biggest doubt after coming down with influenza during England's first-Test victory at Lord's last week. -Photo by AP

LONDON: England on Tuesday named an unchanged squad for the second Test against New Zealand at Headlingley, after batsman Ian Bell and spin bowler Graeme Swann both overcame illness.

Bell had been the biggest doubt after coming down with influenza during England's first-Test victory at Lord's last week.

He spent substantial time off the pitch and batted down at number eight in the second innings, while Swann complained of nausea on the fourth morning.

Seamer Tim Bresnan was also named in the 12-man squad for his home Test at Headingley and is bidding to make his first Test appearance since undergoing elbow surgery in February.

England selector Geoff Miller said he was encouraged by England's 170-run victory at Lord's, but predicted a taxing assignment in the second Test against a New Zealand side who held England to three draws on home soil two months ago.

“It was pleasing to start the international summer with a win over New Zealand in the first Investec Test, and I thought the team showed a lot of fighting spirit when under pressure to set up the victory,” he said.

“We are aware there are still areas that we need to improve on, and the players and coaches will be working hard before the second Test to ensure we continue to get better as a side.

“New Zealand showed again that they are a dangerous side, and we know we will need to produce another strong performance this week to secure a series victory.”

England squad for the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley, starting on Friday: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Matt Prior (wkt), Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott

Opinion

Editorial

Reserved seats
Updated 15 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The ECP's decisions and actions clearly need to be reviewed in light of the country’s laws.
Secretive state
15 May, 2024

Secretive state

THERE is a fresh push by the state to stamp out all criticism by using the alibi of protecting national interests....
Plague of rape
15 May, 2024

Plague of rape

FLAWED narratives about women — from being weak and vulnerable to provocative and culpable — have led to...
Privatisation divide
Updated 14 May, 2024

Privatisation divide

How this disagreement within the government will sit with the IMF is anybody’s guess.
AJK protests
14 May, 2024

AJK protests

SINCE last week, Azad Jammu & Kashmir has been roiled by protests, fuelled principally by a disconnect between...
Guns and guards
14 May, 2024

Guns and guards

THERE are some flawed aspects to our society that we must start to fix at the grassroots level. One of these is the...