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 were treated to a significant setback ahead of the winner-takes-all contest, with two key players ruled out through injury.The three-game series is finely balanced at 1-1. England claimed the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded emphatically with a 253-run victory at The Oval. With valuable ICC World Test Championship points on offer, the Trent Bridge clash will determine the winner of the series.
Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips excluded
New Zealand were forced into major changes after leading paceman Matt Henry and star all-rounder Glenn Phillips were ruled out of the final Test. Henry, who starred in New Zealand’s win at the Oval and recently climbed to No.1 in the ICC Test bowling rankings, is out with a calf injury. Phillips, meanwhile, has been sidelined due to a side strain.
England called the changes for the decider
England have also shuffled their line-up after the 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 also returns, while wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith is back after missing the previous Test following the birth of his son. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has been recalled to bolster England’s spin options.Despite being declared fit, Ollie Robinson was not included in the playing XI.
Playing XI
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
