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The England vs New Zealand third and final Test match is set to be played from 25th June at Trent Bridge. With the Test series evenly poised at 1-1, the final Test is going to be the decider, with both teams looking to win the title decider.
Captain Ben Stokes returns to the playing XI after his suspension in the 2nd Test match due to the physical altercation in a nightclub with a former Rugby player and also breaching the curfew.
Ben Stokes' return to England's Test XI
Apart from Ben Stokes, pacer Gus Atkinson, who was dropped as well due to the row, has also been brought back into the side. Wicket-keeper Jamie Smith returns from his paternity leave as the Three Lions make four changes to their XI for the third Test against New Zealand in Nottingham. Shoaib Bashir comes into the squad as well.
During the absence of Ben Stokes, Joe Root was handed the captaincy in the second Test match. However, Stokes’ return to the squad is a big boost for the England National Cricket Team. The former has showcased excellent form in the recent County Championship game for Durham, scoring 95 runs.
Brendon McCullum opens on relationship with Stokes
While speaking in the press conference, head coach Brendon McCullum admitted shortly before the selection was announced that the prospect of 38-degree heat on the first few days of the Test would be a struggle for his team.
"I remember talking to Eoin Morgan after 2015 World Cup, and you know how close I am with him. He came to me and asked me 'what do you think I should do?' I said 'tough times don't last but tough blokes do'."
"And I think it's no different - you've got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you're able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there's some good stuff to come."
We're desperate to win- Brendon McCullum
However, the team's togetherness was affected following a controversial fortnight for the England squad, during which Stokes' future as an England player and captain, as well as his relationship with the coach, were heavily debated.
England Cricket has been under serious concern as they have lost six of their past seven Tests at the Oval. The last time they won a Test match was back against India, when they levelled the series with a win at the same venue in September 2025.
"What will be will be from a results POV," he said. "We're desperate to win, but at the time what will be will be. How can we hold our nerves during those moments and have absolute clarity to make the right decisions to give ourselves the best chance? If we do that, then we are a good chance of getting the prize that we want."
England's playing XI for the third Test vs NZ: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (C), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
