New Zealand tour of England 2021
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Wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling ruled out from 2nd Test with back injury

10 Jun 2021

New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling has been ruled out from the second Test against England in Birmingham, after failing to overcome a sore back.

"The injury has troubled Watling in the past, and although it has improved in the past 24 hours, it hasn't improved enough to be confident of him getting through a full Test behind the stumps," said New Zealand Cricket in a press statement.

"Wellington Firebirds wicket-keeper batsman Tom Blundell will take the gloves and bat six in his 11th Test."

Watling had earlier announced that he would be retiring from all forms of international cricket after the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, starting June 18 in Southampton.

New Zealand will be without their captain Kane Williamson, who has been rested for the second Test against England at Edgbaston due to injury concerns. Williamson's place at three in the order will be taken by 28-year-old Will Young, who has scored 48 runs in his two Tests innings to date.

Kane Williamson had said before he arrives in England that the elbow concern is being managed, and he was hopeful of returning to peak fitness sooner than later. Williamson had missed three Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) due to the same injury.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has also been ruled out for the final Test with a finger injury. At the same time, experienced pacer Trent Boult is available for selection.

The first Test between the two sides had ended in a draw at Lord's.

Matches

Ireland tour of Sri Lanka 2023

1st Test, Galle, 16-18 Apr 2023

SL SL
591/6 dec & / (. ov)
Ire Ire
143/10 & 168/10 (. ov) (Target

SL won by an innings and 280 runs

Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023

3rd T20I, Queenstown, 08 Apr 2023

SL SL
182/6 & / (20. ov)
NZ NZ
183/6 & / (19.5 ov) (Target

New Zealand won by 4 wickets

Ireland tour of Bangladesh 2023

Only Test, Mirpur, 04-07 Apr 2023

Ire Ire
214/10 & 292/10 (. ov)
Ban Ban
369/10 & 138/3 (. ov) (Target 138

Bangladesh won by 7 wickets

Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023

2nd T20I, Dunedin, April 05, 2023

SL SL
141/10 & / (20. ov)
NZ NZ
146/1 & / (14.4 ov) (Target

New Zealand won by 9 wickets