Sports25 June, 20262 min read
Ben Stokes Returns As England Take Four Wickets At Trent Bridge In Third Test
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Third Test at Trent Bridge is the series decider. Stokes returns to England lineup for the decider.
Stokes returns, NZ 361-4
Ben Stokes returned as England captain for the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge after he and Gus Atkinson served a one-match suspension, and Tom Latham and Devon Conway put New Zealand on course with a record 317-run opening partnership. Latham made 151 and Conway 157 as the Black Caps reached 361-4 by stumps on Thursday, after England took four wickets in the final session including two in two balls to end the day.
Sky Sports said Ben Stokes (1-57) provided the breakthrough when Latham was snapped up by the wicketkeeper, while Conway perished in the deep off Joe Root (1-7). BBC reported that after England lost a crucial toss, Latham was out for 151 and Conway fell for 157, with Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls dismissed by the final two deliveries to leave New Zealand four down.
Pressure and heat
Ahead of the series decider, Ben Stokes told the media he was facing “probably a lot more riding on it than it normally would be,” as England sought the victory that would decide the series in their favour. Sky Sports described Stokes as “frustrated” and “disappointed” about how his and Atkinson's suspension unfolded, and noted he was warmly welcomed back when his first bowl of the morning was greeted with huge cheers.
BBC quoted assistant coach Tim Southee saying England can play on New Zealand memories of 2022, adding: “When you have guys who played in those games, there will probably be a few guys in the New Zealand changing room with that in the back of their mind”. Southee also said “It's always there in the memory bank, so we'll see how it unfolds,” while BBC reported England were forced to work with the ball in extreme heat after losing the toss.
Injuries, lineups, day two
New Zealand entered the match with injury setbacks, with Matt Henry (calf strain) and Glenn Phillips (side strain) ruled out before play, and Kyle Jamieson rested following several back injuries. France 24 reported Latham said “Unfortunately Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry have been ruled out with some niggles so Mitchell Santner and Ben Sears come in,” and that “Kyle Jamieson is rested because of workload and Blair Tickner is in.”
England made four changes, with Stokes and Atkinson returning in place of Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker, and wicket-keeper Jamie Smith coming back after missing the second Test because of paternity leave. BBC said England are desperate for a series win after months of poor results and off-field issues, and it also noted New Zealand have the opportunity to become the first visiting team to win a series of three matches or more in this country since 2012.