Williamson returns as New Zealand look to strengthen WTC finale hopes

The last 12 months have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for the New Zealand Test side. They had won only one series out of four – against a depleted South African side – heading into the three Tests in India and the issues were compounded with Tim Southee stepping down as captain after the 2-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka. And no one had given them a chance. From bowling out India for 46 on the first morning of play in Bengaluru, everything went right for New Zealand across the series, clinching key moments across the three games. With nothing to lose they managed to do the unthinkable, a 3-0 series whitewash against India in India. An achievement no touring side has ever done before on Indian shores, made even bigger as Kane Williamson had been ruled out of the series.

Suddenly, New Zealand have it all to play for once again with a berth in the World Test Championship final still remaining a possibility, provided other results do go their way. This will also be the swansong Test series for former skipper and fast-bowler Tim Southee if they do not qualify for the final at Lord’s, and the hosts will look to give him a grand send-off.

England, on the other hand, come into this series looking to bounce back from the 2-1 series defeat to Pakistan in October in what they would consider to be very alien conditions. Their idea of continuously being aggressive even in tricky situations with ‘Bazball’ has let them down on both of their tours to the sub-continent this year with wickets falling in clumps despite one batter getting his eye in.

The same was on show in the two day warm-up game heading into the series. Barring Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Ben Stokes who each scored a half-century, none of the other batters were able to convert their starts into big scores. England had last won a series in New Zealand in 2008 under Michael Vaughan which was also coincidentally when Tim Southee made his Test debut. On the quicker tracks in New Zealand, the tourists will feel a lot more at home and look to rewrite history after 16 long years.

When: November 28 to December 2, 2024; 11:00am Local Time | 10pm GMT (Nov 27) | 3:30am IST

Where: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

What to expect: The weather in Christchurch is expected to be cloudy on most days but there is no rain expected to intervene play. Hagley Oval has always been favourable to bowlers on Day 1 but it gradually gets easier to bat on as four of the five highest chases in New Zealand have all come on this ground, with two of them coming in the last two years.

Team news

New Zealand:Tom Latham confirmed in a press conference ahead of the game that Kane Williamson will replace Player of the Series in India, Will Young, while all-rounder Nathan Smith will make his Test debut.

Probable XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (C), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell (wk), Nathan Smith , Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke

England:The visitors announced their XI for the match two days out. Jordan Cox was set to make his debut but an injury in practice has ruled him out of the series and with Jamie Smith unavailable, Ollie Pope will take the gloves. Batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell will make his Test debut at no. 3.

Confirmed XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir

What they said:

“Steady (Gary Stead) had that conversation with Young and I followed up. As I said, he’s a great team man and certainly did nothing wrong. It was a tough decision to make but I guess when you’re in a position to make tough calls, it means your team is in a good spot so yeah, obviously gutted for Young but excited with Kane coming back” – Tom Latham on dropping Young for Williamson