ENG vs NZ | 3rd Test | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

England will aim for a clean sweep when they square off against New Zealand in the third and final match of the Test series, starting from Thursday (June 23) at Headingley, Leeds.

England couldn't have asked for a better start to their brand new era of Test Cricket, led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, as they outplayed the reigning World Test Champions on consecutive occasions to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. 

Following the Nottingham Test triumph, which saw England registering a record-run chase at Trent Bridge, the hosts have already sealed the series. Now they will be heading into Leeds with a clear intention of whitewashing the wounded Blackcaps.  

With the hosts already bagging the series, coach McCullum has decided to test their bench strength and give rest to their senior pacer James Anderson, who has a bulky task ahead against India in the final match of the Pataudi Trophy. 

Jamie Overton, who has been called up into the Test squad on the back of his impressive performance in the ongoing County Championship, will be making his Test debut in Headingley, replacing Anderson. 

Skipper Ben Stokes, who suffered an injury during the fourth innings of the second Test and later fell ill, tested negative for COVID-19 and is all set to take the field at Headingley. 

New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to salvage some pride from their miserable tour of England by winning the third and final Test. Their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who missed the second Test after testing positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the match, is likely to return to the side and take over the captaincy duties from Tom Latham. 

Batter Devon Conway and all-rounder Michael Bracewell, however, tested positive following the second Test, and their participation in the Headingley Test is under the scanner. Neil Wagner is expected to get a game as Kyle Jamieson, who suffered a back injury in the second Test, was ruled out of the series. 

Match Details

Match: England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test

Venue: Headingley, Leeds

Date & Time: June 23 to June 27 at 3:30 PM IST and 11 AM Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony SIX and Sony LIV  

Pitch Report 

The pitch at the Headingley offers a balanced surface, where the batters are likely to dominate the first three days of the match; later it becomes flat and invites spinners into the game. It also has something in it to keep the fast bowlers inquisitive in the early phases of the game. 

Pitch Stats

Total matches: 79

Matches won batting first: 29

Matches won bowling first: 32

Average 1st Inns scores: 304

Average 2nd Inns scores: 292

Average 3rd Inns scores: 241

Average 4th Inns scores: 166

The highest total recorded: 653/4 (193 Overs) by AUS vs ENG

The lowest total recorded: 61/10 (26.2 Overs) by WI vs ENG 

Head-To-Head 

Matches Played: 109

England Won: 50

New Zealand Won: 12

Drawn: 47 

Squads 

England: Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (WK), Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young 

Probable Playing XI

England (Announced): Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Jamie Overton, Stuart Broad

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Tom Blundell, Jonny Bairstow

Batters: Tom Latham. Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Devon Conway, Alex Lees,

All-Rounders: Daryl Mitchell

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Stuart Broad, James Anderson 

Captain: Daryl Mitchell

Vice-Captain: Joe Root