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sure win ph New Zealand Vs England: Ben Stokes Backs Zak Crawley To Bounce Back In Second Test
Ben Stokes celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Blundell during play on the first day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Photo: AP Ben Stokes celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Blundell during play on the first day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Photo: AP 
England captain Ben Stokes is confident that opener Zak Crawley can improve his poor record against New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington. (More Sports News)
During England's eight-wicket triumph in the first Test, Crawley scored just one run from 20 deliveries across his two innings, with Matt Henry dismissing him on both occasions.
That subsequently brought his batting average down to 9.88 against New Zealand, having struggled in his nine Tests and 17 innings against the Kiwis.
Since 2000, only West Indies' Marlon Samuels (9.81 against Sri Lanka) has played as many innings against the same opponents and ended with a lower batting average.
"Some guys have bogey teams, some guys have teams they do really well against," Stokes told BBC Sport.
"We're one Test match into a series against New Zealand, but over the past 18 months Zak has been absolutely phenomenal for us."
Our XI for the second Test against New Zealand has been announced @IGcom | #EnglandCricket
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2024Stokes did, however, point to the job done by Crawley and his opening partner Ben Duckett in setting the tone at the beginning of an England innings.
Of all pairs to have opened at least 10 times for England in Tests, Crawley and Duckett's run-rate of 5.03 is at least a run faster than the next quickest, which is Crawley and Alex Lees.
"Those two have been such a successful pairing for us," added Stokes.
"They go out there with a mindset of putting the opposition bowlers under pressure straight away, not allowing them to settle in."
Both England and New Zealand are unchanged for the second Test in Wellington, with Chris Woakes named among the squad despite his poor away record.
Woakes' wickets cost an average of 51.4 runs compared to 21.6 at home, but he did make a crucial intervention in the first Test in Christchurch.
During New Zealand's second innings, he grabbed the wickets of Kane Williamson (61) and Tom Blundell (0) in successive deliveries on his way to figures of 3-59.
"Someone with his skill level should never doubt themselves wherever they are in the world," said Stokes.
"It's belief in himself, belief from myself and Brendon McCullum that he's not just someone who is going to be playing in England."
An England victory in Wellington would also secure their first series win in New Zealand since 2008. sure win ph