England say Archer 'fine' after racism, reveal Buttler injury worry

England said Jofra Archer was ready to fire in second Test against New Zealand despite suffering racist abuse, but a new injury concern has emerged over wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. As search continues for heckler who racially taunted Archer during first Test, captain Joe Root said Barbados-born bowler was "absolutely fine to play" in Hamilton. "He has dealt with it very well," Root told BBC after Archer wrote in a newspaper column that he has "moved on" and was primed to help England bounce back from ir innings defeat.

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But Root told journalists England were t in a position to name ir side on eve of second Test with a question mark over Buttler, who tweaked a back muscle while exercising. "We'll have to find out more information about that today and tomorrow to see where he's at," Root said. Although Ollie Pope was considered leading contender to replace Buttler if he could t take gloves, Root said re were a number of or possibilities that would depend on a pitch inspection before toss.

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New Zealand were also waiting for a late pitch inspection before deciding wher Matt Henry or Lockie Ferguson would replace Trent Boult, who strained a rib muscle in first Test. Ferguson, like England's Archer, is 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour plus express bowler, while Henry was ted for his swing ability with new ball and took five wickets against South Africa in Hamilton two years ago. New Zealand did, however, confirm one change in ir line-up, with 28-year-old Daryl Mitchell to make his debut in place of Colin de Grandhomme, who has a torn abdominal muscle. 28-year-old Mitchell, a son of former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, played against England in recent Twenty20 series with scores of 30 t out, five and two, and best bowling figures of one for nine from 11 balls in second match. 

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