England has announced their team for the third and final Test against New Zealand, starting on June 25 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The team has made four changes following a heavy 253-run defeat in the second Test at the Oval.
Ben Stokes returns as captain after an investigation into a night out that breached the team’s curfew. Gus Atkinson, who was with Stokes during the incident, also rejoines the team.
They replace Jordan Cox and Matthew Fisher in the playing XI. Cox, in his debut, scored 27 and 25 in his two innings. Meanwhile, Fisher performed well, taking five wickets across both innings and scoring an unbeaten 50 in England’s first innings.
Jamie Smith returns to fulfill wicketkeeping duties after missing the second Test due to the birth of his daughter. He takes the spot of James Rew, who had a modest debut, scoring 39 runs and struggling as a wicketkeeper.
Shoaib Bashir also comes back to the side, replacing Sonny Baker, who took three wickets on his debut.
England’s playing XI for the third Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (C), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.