After the rain came to spoil the thriller, England and New Zealand will lock horns in the final Test of the series to decide the winner. It will also the last game for New Zealand to prepare for the WTC Final.
Match Timings: May 10, 3:30 PM IST
Team Preview
England and New Zealand will wrap up their Test series in Edgbaston after a competitive draw in Lord’s. The first Test showcased so many good things but rain played the spoilsport. It was a positive outcome for England as they avoided a defeat but New Zealand can be proud of themselves after a dominating display.
Devon Conway and Ollie Robinson made a huge impact in their debut game. Conway’s majestic knock in his debut match was extraordinary. He scored a fine double hundred to take part in the elite club of those players who got 200 in the debut Test match. Robinson also scalped 7 wickets in the match but he got suspension after the game due to his 2012 racist tweets. Dom Bess has been included in the squad now.
England has to look at their approach which was questionable. New Zealand offered them a good opportunity to add drama on the final day but England batsmen showed poor intent while chasing. They didn’t try to bat when they needed runs with a run rate of below 4. This game was also not part of WTC so they could have taken charge in the 4th innings. Rory Burns was a shining star of the game who carried the bat throughout the innings with a fine hundred. It was the first hundred by an English player at Lord’s after 6 years. The opening slot has been a concern for them but they would look to solve it before the Ashes.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will welcome their star bowler Trent Boult in this game and it would be good practice for him before the important WTC final. Kiwis were in good touch in the first Test and they put pressure on England in both innings. Williamson gave his bowlers a chance to bowl out England in two sessions but it was a tough task. Southee bagged fifer and showed his preparation high. Wagner and Jamieson were also impactful. Kiwis had batting issues in both innings. Conway scored more than 50% of the run from New Zealand’s innings.
Batting should be a part where they need improvement. Management can give rest to one of its pacers and it could be Tim Southee. Santner will miss out due to injury and Kane is the latest absentee from the game. Latham will lead the side who had previously lead the side against West Indies in December 2020. After this game, New Zealand will get only 3 days of break before the WTC final so visitors can make 2-3 other changes as well to keep their players fresh.
Pitch Report
Edgbaston’s surface is good for batting but we may expect major assistance to the pace. Weather will not impact this game so it would be a complete game. Spinners can join the party in the last two days when the pitch will get slow.
Possible XI
England
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Daniel Lawrence, Ollie Pope, James Bracey (wk), Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson
New Zealand
Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson/Mett Henry, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner
Key Players
England
Joe Root
Leading run-getter for England in WTC 2019-21 & having a top form this year
James Anderson
Might be dangerous on this surface, can swing the ball with extra bounce
New Zealand
Tom Latham
Number one Test batsman for NZ after Kane and previous form put him ahead
Trent Boult
Left-arm bowling in such condition will give him an extra advantage
