New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat first in the decisive third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Thursday. However, the visitors faced a major setback ahead of the winning run, with two key players missing through injury.The three-match tie is at 1-1. England bowled out the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded strongly with a 253-run victory at The Oval. With valuable ICC World Test Championship points on offer, the Trent Bridge meeting will determine the winner.
Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips opposed
New Zealand have been forced to make major changes after pace leader Matt Henry and all-rounder Glenn Phillips were dropped in the last Test. Henry, who featured in New Zealand’s victory at The Oval and recently moved up to the No. 1 in ICC Test bowling, has missed out with a calf injury. Phillips, meanwhile, is sidelined with a side problem.
England shows a change of selector
England have reshuffled their line-up following a heavy defeat in the second Test, with captain Ben Stokes returning to lead the side after being rested at The Oval. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson is back, while wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is back after missing previous Tests following the birth of his son. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has been recalled to boost England’s spins.Despite being declared fit, Ollie Robinson was not included in the playing XI.
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Sears, William O’RourkeEngland: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
