England Playing XI for NZ vs ENG 3rd Test, Check INs and OUTs

England tour of New Zealand 2024 will conclude with the third and final Test of the series which begins on 14 December 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. With the series already secured by England, the visitors have announced their playing XI, making a single yet significant change to their lineup.

The stage is set for a riveting contest, as England aims for a historic clean sweep in the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, while New Zealand looks to salvage pride and bid farewell to their iconic pacer, Tim Southee.

England Playing XI for NZ vs ENG 3rd Test: Matthew Potts in, Chris Woakes OUT

England has decided to bring in right-arm seamer Matthew Potts, replacing bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, in a move designed to bolster their pace attack. Potts, who has already impressed with 31 wickets in just nine Tests at an average of 29.22, last played for England during the high-scoring Multan Test against Pakistan in October.

Chris Woakes, on the other hand, has been omitted due to inconsistent performances in the ongoing series. Across the two Tests, Woakes managed a solitary wicket in Christchurch and recorded figures of 1/26 and 2/20 in Wellington, along with modest contributions with the bat.

England skipper Ben Stokes has exuded confidence in his side’s ability to finish the tour on a high note. With young talents like Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell thriving alongside seasoned campaigners Joe Root and Ollie Pope, England’s batting lineup looks formidable. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have provided solid starts at the top, while the bowling department, led by Gus Atkinson and now bolstered by Potts, promises to keep the Kiwi batters on their toes.

“We’ve played exceptional cricket throughout the series, and we want to end it on a strong note. Hamilton offers a great opportunity for the team to create history,” Stokes remarked during the pre-match press conference.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.

England Eyeing 3-0 Clean Sweep

The Seddon Park Test Match represents a golden chance for England to script history. Not since 1963, under the leadership of Ted Dexter, has England achieved a 3-0 clean sweep in a Test series in New Zealand. Victories in Christchurch and Wellington have put the visitors in a commanding position, and a win in Hamilton would cement their dominance.

Despite its historical significance, the Test carries no weight for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as both England and New Zealand are out of contention for a spot in the final. Nonetheless, the match remains crucial for pride, individual milestones, and the emotional farewell of Tim Southee, who has been a pillar of New Zealand’s bowling attack.

For New Zealand, the Hamilton Test is an opportunity to restore some pride after back-to-back defeats. The match also marks an emotional moment as fans prepare to bid farewell to the legendary Tim Southee, who has been a cornerstone of the Black Caps’ bowling lineup for over a decade.

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