New Zealand walked into the final Test against England minus two of their match-winners. Fast bowler Matt Henry (calf) and middle-order batter-keeper Glenn Phillips (side strain) were both ruled out after picking up niggles during last week’s dominant victory at The Oval.
Henry’s 11-wicket haul underpinned that 253-run win, yet a scan since has confirmed a low-grade muscle strain. Team medics expect a recovery window of two to four weeks. Phillips, fresh from a maiden Test hundred, is still being assessed.
Those absences left captain Tom Latham visibly relieved when the coin came up heads in Nottingham. In temperatures forecast to touch 38°C, he opted to bat, hoping to place a weighty first-innings total – and plenty of overs – on England’s bowlers.
“It looks a reasonably dry surface so hopefully we can make use of it first up,” Latham said, before noting that the series had been something of a “tale of changes” for both camps. New Zealand, already planning to rest Kyle Jamieson as he eases back from a stress-fractured back, had pencilled in Mitchell Santner and Blair Tickner. With Henry sidelined, 26-year-old quick Ben Sears slots in for a maiden appearance this tour.
England had announced four switches of their own after the Oval defeat, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson returning following the off-field issues that followed Lord’s. Stokes admitted he would also have batted first but pointed to happy memories of Trent Bridge. “It’s a massive week for myself and the team,” he said.
Analysis
Removing Henry strips New Zealand of their chief strike bowler and the one seamer who regularly moved the ball at pace through this series. Sears offers genuine speed – he can nudge 150 kph – but has only seven first-class matches behind him. Santner’s inclusion suggests the visitors expect the surface to dry and take turn, especially with the mercury climbing.
England’s reshuffle strengthens both batting and bowling. Stokes, back in the middle order, lengthens the line-up, while Atkinson’s extra pace complements Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. Yet workload management looms as the mercury rises; three quicks who all favour the short burst may need long spells.
Tribute
Both teams will wear black armbands following the death of former New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair, who passed away aged 94. Latham called him “a great New Zealander with an iconic sporting story,” a reference to Blair’s decision to play on after the Tangiwai rail disaster claimed his fiancée in 1953.
Playing XIs
England: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears.
Conditions & outlook
The Nottingham track looked parched on the eve of the match and should quicken under the sun. Overhead, little relief is expected until late on day three. Both captains spoke of the need for discipline in the heat; whoever lasts longest in the field may decide a finely poised series.
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