Devon Conway to rejoin New Zealand squad for 2nd England Test
New Delhi, June 11
New Zealand expects opening batter Devon Conway will be available for the second Test against England at The Oval next week, despite the opener making a 23,000-mile round trip to Wellington between matches to be present for the birth of his second child.
Conway, who scored 1 and 41 in New Zealand's 115-run defeat in the low-scoring series opener at Lord's, has returned home to join his wife, Kim, as they welcome their second child.
Despite the demanding travel schedule, New Zealand expect the left-hander to rejoin the squad in time for the second Test, providing a boost as the visitors look to level the series against England.
"BLACKCAPS batter Devon Conway has briefly returned home to New Zealand to welcome the birth of his second child. Conway will spend some time at home with family before flying back to London ahead of the second Test against England at The Oval, starting Wednesday 17 June." New Zealand said in a statement, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Kiwi players have been given a brief rest time in the UK after a massive loss in the first Test. The visitors are yet to train at The Oval on Friday, before another day off on Saturday.
The build-up to the second Test at The Oval has been overshadowed by the off-field turmoil surrounding England, with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson dropped from the squad following their involvement in a late-night incident at a London nightclub earlier this week.
The controversy has dominated headlines in the lead-up to the match, forcing England into an unexpected leadership change, with veteran batter Joe Root stepping in as interim captain. The disruption has added an extra layer of intrigue to the contest as England look to maintain focus amid a challenging week away from the field.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive commitment from Conway and NZC to support family needs. Meanwhile, England's off-field drama with Stokes and Atkinson is a mess - dropping key players before a crucial Test? Joe Root as interim captain feels like a panic move. The Ashes buildup is getting interesting across the ditch.
As an Indian cricket fan, I admire this balance between professional and personal life. Cricket boards should learn from this - players are human first. Conway will probably be jet-lagged but motivated. And England's nightclub controversy? 😅 What a contrast in headlines!
Good to see NZ giving players that flexibility. But honestly, 23,000 miles round trip in a few days? That's brutal on the body and jet lag will be real. Hope the support staff manage his workload properly. England's off-field drama is just adding more spice to this series - Root as interim captain, not ideal but he's experienced.
Conway's dedication is commendable but NZ's batting looked fragile without him stabilizing the innings. Returning from such a whirlwind trip might affect his rhythm. Meanwhile, England's nightclub saga is a classic case of 'what happens in London... makes headlines'. Root's captaincy experience will be crucial. 🏏
This is the kind of human touch we need more in cricket coverage. Conway's baby news is heartwarming! New Zealand cricket's family-first policy is something Indian cricket could learn from - our players often miss such precious moments because of packed schedules. Hope Conway scores a century for his newborn! 💪👶
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