The third and final Test of the series between England and New Zealand is set to commence at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on December 14. England, having already secured the series with commanding wins in the first two Tests, will aim for a clean 3-0 sweep. On the other hand, hosts New Zealand are desperate to salvage some pride by avoiding a humiliating whitewash on home soil.
England’s dominance and New Zealand’s struggle
England have displayed an impressive brand of cricket throughout the series, excelling in both batting and bowling departments. Their aggressive batting approach, combined with disciplined bowling, has kept New Zealand on the back foot. Skipper Ben Stokes will look to maintain this dominance and finish the series on a high, showcasing England’s rising prowess in red-ball cricket.
The hosts have struggled to match England’s intensity and consistency, with their batting lineup faltering under pressure. Key players like Kane Williamson and Tom Latham have been unable to make significant contributions, leaving the team vulnerable against England
Test Stats and Records at Seddon Park:
- Total matches: 28
- Matches won batting first: 9
- Matches won bowling first: 11
- Average first innings scores: 310
- Average second innings scores: 324
- Average third innings scores: 234
- Average fourth innings scores: 172
- Highest total recorded: 715/6 (163 Overs) by New Zealand vs Bangladesh
- Lowest total recorded: 93/10 (43.3 Overs) by New Zealand vs Pakistan
Also READ: NZ vs ENG 2024, Test series – Broadcast, Live Streaming details | When and where to watch in India, New Zealand, USA, UK & other countries
Seddon Park Pitch Report:
The surface at Seddon Park is renowned for being a bowler’s paradise, especially favoring seamers who can make the most of the conditions with the new ball. In the initial phases of the match, bowlers are likely to extract considerable movement and lively bounce, posing a stern challenge to the batters. However, as the game unfolds, the pitch is expected to ease out, gradually transitioning into a more batting-friendly track, offering players the chance to capitalize and demonstrate their prowess with the bat.
Hamilton Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for Hamilton during the 3rd Test match between England and New Zealand promises a mix of conditions that could influence play. Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging between 27°C and 13°C, and a light breeze prevailing. Sunday will bring partly cloudy skies with slightly warmer conditions of 27°C to 15°C, and minimal chances of precipitation.
Rain is likely on Monday, with moderate winds and temperatures of 24°C to 14°C, potentially affecting play. Sunny weather returns on Tuesday, with a cooler range of 24°C to 9°C and no precipitation expected. Wednesday, the final day of the match, will be partly cloudy with temperatures of 22°C to 11°C, providing gentle winds and favorable conditions for cricket.
Day 1: Saturday
- Condition: Mostly Cloudy
- High/Low Temperatures: 27°C / 13°C
- Precipitation: 0%
- Wind: Light breeze
Day 2: Sunday
- Condition: Partly Cloudy
- High/Low Temperatures: 27°C / 15°C
- Precipitation: Minimal chances
- Wind: Gentle
Day 3: Monday
- Condition: Rain
- High/Low Temperatures: 24°C / 14°C
- Precipitation: Likely
- Wind: Moderate
Day 4: Tuesday
- Condition: Sunny
- High/Low Temperatures: 24°C / 9°C
- Precipitation: 0%
- Wind: Light
Day 5: Wednesday
- Condition: Partly Cloudy
- High/Low Temperatures: 22°C / 11°C
- Precipitation: Minimal chances
- Wind: Gentle
NZ vs ENG, 3rd Test: Playing XI of both teams
New Zealand (Probable): Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes(c), Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir