Cricket: Ish Sodhi recalled for second England test to replace injured Todd Astle

Ish Sodhi celebrates a wicket. Photo / Photosport

Legspinner Ish Sodhi has been called into the New Zealand squad for the season-ending second test against England, starting in Christchurch on Friday.

The Northern Districts bowler replaces Cantebury's Todd Astle, who has withdrawn due to a side strain.

Astle was a key figure in New Zealand winning the first test at Eden Park, taking three for 39 in England's second innings.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said it was unfortunate timing.

"Through some incredibly hard work, Todd's already overcome some injuries this summer, so for this to happen now is a cruel blow.

"Todd played a major role in helping us win the game at Eden Park, so it's disappointing for him and the team that he's forced to the sideline."

However the injury has opened a door for cult figure Sodhi, who played the last of his 14 tests against India at Kanpur in September 2016.

Sodhi's test figures are ordinary - 38 wickets at 46.6 apiece since his debut against Bangladesh at Chittagong in late 2013.

His T20 return has been outstanding, and lifted him to No 1 on the world rankings. But he's always harboured the ambition of getting back into the test side and making it count.

Sodhi's chances have been limited by two factors: it's rare for New Zealand to play two spinners in a home test and he was clearly rated below Mitchell Santner in the spinning ranks. Santner is out with a long-term knee injury for possibly nine months.

In this season's Plunket Shield - on limited appearances due to his New Zealand team involvement - he's taken 28 wickets at an impressive 13.9 each.

This week Sodhi had match figures of 12 for 62 as he helped Northern Districts flatten Wellington by an innings and 56 runs.

It is rotten luck for Astle, who had just completed his third test in almost six years.

He took important wickets on the final day at Eden Park, including getting last man Jimmy Anderson caught at mid off to secure the test win by an innings and 49 runs.