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 have been dealt a significant setback ahead of the winner-takes-all contest, with two key players ruled out through injury.The three-match series is finely poised at 1-1. England claimed the opening Test at Lord’s by 115 runs before New Zealand responded emphatically with a crushing 253-run victory at The Oval. With valuable ICC World Test Championship points on offer, the Trent Bridge encounter will determine the series winner.
Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips ruled out
New Zealand have been forced into major changes after pace spearhead Matt Henry and star all-rounder Glenn Phillips were ruled out of the final Test. Henry, who starred in New Zealand’s victory at The Oval and recently climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, misses out with a calf injury. Phillips, meanwhile, has been sidelined due to a side strain.
England ring the changes for decider
England have also shuffled their lineup following 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-batter Jamie Smith is back after missing the previous Test following the birth of his child. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has been recalled to strengthen England’s spin options.Despite being declared fit, Ollie Robinson has not been 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
