NZ vs ENG 3rd Test Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test Preview [Source: @englandcricket/x]

New Zealand and England will collide in the third Test of their three-match series from December 14 onwards at Hamilton’s Seddon Park. With series already in the pocket, England will be gunning for a 3-0 sweep while hosts New Zealand will be hoping to avoid a series whitewash at home.

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test: Match Details And Live Streaming

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test Preview: New Zealand

A month ago, the New Zealand cricket team scripted history by securing a 3-0 series win in India. However, New Zealand’s high-flying run came crashing down at home with twin defeats to England. The series defeat at home also spoiled their chances of qualifying for the WTC finals next here. 

Nonetheless, the ‘Black Caps’ still have a series whitewash to avoid and the hosts will be banking on their in-form batters like Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra to come up clutch in the Hamilton dead-rubber. Fat bowlers Matt Henry, William O’Rourke and Tim Southee will also be expected to sustain their wicket-taking spree.

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test Preview: England

England will be aiming to end their topsy-turvy year with another win over New Zealand to complete a remarkable 3-0 overseas sweep. Earlier this year, the Englishmen lost their Test series in India and Pakistan by 1-4 and 1-2 margins respectively. 

Success at home over West Indies and Sri Lanka aside, England’s 2023-25 WTC campaign has been largely marred by inconsistency, especially in overseas conditions. Rampaging Harry Brook and Joe Root will enter the Hamilton dead-rubber with a truckload of runs on their trail. Chris Woakes, one of England’s in-form fast bowlers, has notably been replaced by Matthew Potts for the impending Test.

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test Pitch Report: How Will Seddon Park Surface Behave?

Fast bowlers can make early inroads with the new ball but might have to toil away for long hours if batters settle in on the Seddon Park surface in Hamilton. The average first innings total at the venue in all Test matches since late 2019 has amounted to 379. The captain winning the toss might opt to bowl first.

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NZ vs ENG 3rd Test: Key Players And Stats

• Harry Brook: 349 runs in 3 innings, Batting Average: 116.33, SR: 93.56
• Kane Williamson: 195 runs in 4 innings, Batting Average: 48.75, SR: 54.92
• Brydon Carse: 16 wickets in 4 innings, Bowling Average: 12.81, SR: 22.18
• Matt Henry: 9 wickets in 4 innings, Bowling Average: 26.55, SR: 39.33

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test: Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand Probable XI: Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and William O’Rourke.

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

NZ vs ENG 3rd Test: Winner Prediction

On the basis of recent form, the rampaging English unit will be considered as favourites to defeat New Zealand again and take the three-match series 3-0.

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