New Zealand will bid to salvage some pride in the final Test against England, who are looking to complete a series whitewash at Seddon Park in Hamilton starting on Friday.
Ben Stokes’ tourists have dominated the series so far, winning the first two Tests convincingly.
After securing an eight-wicket victory in Christchurch, they wrapped up an emphatic 323-run win in Wellington inside three days to clinch their first series win in New Zealand since 2008.
England could name an unchanged side again as they seek a series sweep, while the Black Caps have recalled Will Young due to opener Devon Conway being away for personal reasons.
New Zealand v England 3rd Test tips
- Brydon Carse – England Top Bowler (1st Innings) @ 13/5
- England – Runs at Fall of Wicket 1 – 25.5 (1st Innings) @ 17/20
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England paceman has become indispensable
In the space of four Test matches this winter, Brydon Carse has gone from being a questionable selection to arguably the most important member of Stokes’ attack.
There were plenty of eyebrows raised when Stokes backed his Durham team-mate to step into the role of enforcer, despite Carse having taken only four first-class wickets at an average of 106 last summer.
The 29-year-old bowled with plenty of heart and technique in challenging conditions in Pakistan, taking nine wickets at an average of 24.33 across his two appearances in Multan.
But the pitches in Christchurch and Wellington have been more to his liking and, helped by better fielding from his team-mates on this tour, Carse has already snaffled 16 victims at a cost of less than 13 runs per wicket.
Standing at 6’3″, Carse’s height allows him to generate bounce and pace, which can be particularly effective on New Zealand pitches that often offer assistance to fast bowlers.
Neil Wagner, who fulfilled a similar enforcer role for the Black Caps, took a five-for in the Test played between these two nations at Hamilton in 2019 and it would be no surprise to see Carse among the wickets again at Seddon Park.
Bar his first innings hat-trick in Wellington, Gus Atkinson did not generate anything like as much of a consistent threat as Carse.
And Chris Woakes, who has tended to struggle with the Kookaburra ball in his hands, has taken only six wickets in the first two Tests.
Carse is better equipped than both to exploit the likely pitch conditions and be England’s most potent force with the ball again.
Crawley’s struggles could continue
Zac Crawley’s tour, by contrast, has been a big disappointment.
The England opener has scored a paltry 26 runs in four innings, exposing England’s inexperienced number three Jacob Bethell to the new ball in both matches.
Matt Henry has been Crawley’s chief tormentor, taking the Kent batter’s wicket on all four occasions.
Henry has broken England’s opening partnership each time and the first wicket has fallen with the scores of 9, 1, 12 and 9 on the board.
That England opening partnership may struggle to get more than 25 runs before Henry is among the wickets again in Hamilton.
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