New Zealand vs England 2nd Test: Wellington Pitch Report, Team Records at Basin Reserve

New Zealand vs England 2nd Test: The New Zealand men are set to face England on Friday (February 24) at 3:30 AM (IST). It’s the second and final game of the two-match series and will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

New Zealand lost the first game of the series by a huge margin of 267 runs. The team has struggled to perform with three defeats and two draws in their last five Tests. The Blackcaps will aim to at least draw the series by winning the Wellington Test.

On the other hand, England, are certainly at their best after the years so far. The duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has led England to a new match-winning approach toward the game. The visitors won’t mind another away series victory, that too in New Zealand.

As New Zealand vs England 2nd Test contest is at the edge, here’s the pitch report and more from Wellington.

WELLINGTON PITCH REPORT

It seems like a bowling pitch at the Basin Reserve in Wellington to say. The overall conditions are better suited for pacers, especially with a fresh pitch and new ball. The wickets are full of grass and moisture, considering the current weather in New Zealand overall.

Things are likely to get trickier for the batters due to the high-speed winds around the venue. However, it may get a little bit easier to play on this surface as soon as the ball gets old. But the challenges will keep getting renewed for the batters out there.

Based on the last five Tests played at the venue, the average first innings score has been around 250 and the average total score has been around 287. Talking about the toss, almost all of the toss winners opted to bowl first. And, 60% of the sides have won the games while bowling first.

TEAM RECORDS AT BASIN RESERVE, WELLINGTON

The Basin Reserve in Wellington is set to host its first Test match after more than two years.

Since 2011, the Basin Reserve has hosted 14 Tests. And, New Zealand has featured in all of them. Hence, New Zealand vs England 2nd Test will be the 15th Test to be played at the venue.

New Zealand’s record at the venue is described in the table below.

New Zealand’s Record in Wellington:

England’s Record in Wellington:

England has played only one Test match at the venue, since 2011. It was in 2013 and went on to be draw.