ENGLAND coach Trevor Bayliss has confirmed Somerset spinner Jack Leach is "in contention" to make his Test debut against New Zealand in Christchurch.

The visitors were trounced by an innings and 49 runs in the first Test in Auckland, their 10th defeat in 12 away matches, and calls are growing for changes to be made - including a debut for Leach.

Moeen Ali has endured a torrid winter, with five wickets at an average of 126.8 and 207 runs at 18.8 in the six Tests he has played against Australia and New Zealand, and Trevor Bayliss has spoken openly about the selection dilemma in the build-up to the match in Christchurch.

"I'm sure he [Moeen] is disappointed with the way he's gone," Bayliss said.

"He had a fantastic summer, (but) this winter away I'm sure hasn't gone how he would have liked.

"I'm sure that will be a discussion."

Regarding Leach and Durham seamer Mark Wood, Bayliss added: "They will certainly come into contention and will be spoken about.

"Having lost so many games overseas, we've given a lot of guys an opportunity who haven't really grabbed hold of it.

"At some stage we have to look at who is next. That will certainly be discussed over the next couple of days."

Leach received a glowing endorsement from childhood friend Jos Buttler, the pair having grown up together playing through the Somerset age groups.

Buttler returned to Taunton last week and backed Leach to make an impact (see video below).

Pundits, meanwhile, seem almost unanimous in their view that Leach should be handed an opportunity.

Jonathan Agnew used his BBC Sport column to write: "I think England should play spinner Jack Leach in the second Test instead of Moeen Ali. They have to change something."

Michael Vaughan added on the 'Tuffers and Vaughan' podcast: "There are more resources in the England team than anyone else in the world, yet they continue to pick the same formation, the same style of player and they don't try and do something different.

"Jack Leach has to come into the team."

David Lloyd said: "Moeen is not in these games, he’s anonymous. Jack Leach is in the squad, they need some firepower, some pace and try another spinner.

"I would definitely play Leach, they need to freshen the team up so if Mark Wood is fit I would bring him in as well.’

Another former England captain, Michael Atherton, added: "The time has come to give Leach a debut.

"Moeen had had a difficult winter, you can’t just keep an unchanged team all the time, they were walloped in the Ashes and have been here.

"The attack lacks variety, at some stage you have to say enough, let’s give someone else a go. You have to make a change."

England's last world-class spinner Graeme Swann agreed, telling Test Match Special: "Joe Root talked about rational decisions, but they’re not making them at the moment.

"He needs a spinner who can plug up one end and take wickets, and I’m sorry but that’s not Moeen Ali."

Craig Overton will be hoping to retain his place, having impressed with the bat and bowled economically, though the pundits listed above are also making the case for the extra pace of Mark Wood to be given a go.

The second Test begins on Thursday night at 11pm UK time.