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Black Caps add Santner's spin for third Test against England

December 14, 2024
New Zealand spin bowler Mitchell Santner with the ball in Pune, India, where he took 13 wickets recently.

New Zealand have replaced pace-bowling with spin, bringing Mitch Santner into their line-up for the third Test against England at Hamilton.

England captain Ben Stokes has won the toss and sent the Black Caps into bat first, with Matt Potts replaced Chris Woakes in their bowling attack.

After starring in the series win in India last month, Santner will replace rookie seamer Nathan Smith for the home team, with Will Young deputising for opening batter Devon Conway, who is on babywatch.

Santner propelled his side to victory in their second Test at Pune, capturing 13 wickets in the match, including a career-best 7/53 in the first innings, and has been introduced for more spin-friendly conditions at Seddon Park.

Veteran bowler Tim Southee will play his last Test for the Black Caps. (Source: TVNZ)

"It looks a decent surface," observed captain Tom Latham. "We've certainly seen wickets here in New Zealand with a lot more grass and a lot more greener tinge to it.

"Happy to be batting first, but regardless of whether you're batting or bowling, it's important to work hard in those first two hours."

The Kiwis have already lost the three-match series with defeats at Christchurch and Wellington, but will be motivated to send former captain Tim Southee into retirement in appropriate fashion.

"We know we haven't been at our best and we certainly acknowledge that, but we've got another opportunity here to put a performance on the board that we're proud of," said Latham.

"It would be a great way to send Tim out. He's been a legend of NZ cricket for such a long time — I think it's over half his life he's been in this team — so we're really hoping we can put a performance on the board and send him off on a high."

New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitch Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Shoaib Bashir

More to come

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