Test cricket news: Five talking points ahead of the third Test between England and New Zealand
England head north to Nottingham as they take on New Zealand in the decider of their three-match Test series against New Zealand.
England won the first Test at Lords, but suffered a 253-run loss in the second at the Oval.
Hundreds thanks to Glenn Phillips and Henry Nicholls ensured that the Kiwis take it to a deciding Test at Trent Bridge, starting Thursday.
The Three Lions announced their squad on Sunday and there are plenty of talking points to take from it.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Hibbert picks out five to take a look at.
Return of the Cap and Atkinson in
Following on from a nightclub incident after England’s first Test victory, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were left out of the squad for the second Test, but they have been named in the 15-man squad.
Stokes’ England future looked unclear, particularly as captain. That was until McCullum announced that ‘he’ll be back and he’ll be captain’.
Joe Root suffered another defeat to add to his underwhelming captaincy record.
England will hope that their returning captain can inspire his nation to another victory as he has done many times.
Stokes played for Durham in their victory over Northamptonshire whilst he was away, taking one wicket in the match, and scoring 95 runs.
England weren’t just making an exception for their captain.
Atkinson was also found breaching the midnight curfew with Stokes, but he too is back in the 15-man squad.
Based on England’s bowling performance in the second test, they will be looking for their full strength bowling attack to maximise the chance of a series victory.
However, there will be competition for places.
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Fisher named, Baker out
Matty Fisher remains in the squad, but it looks unlikely he will be selected amongst Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue.
Despite his first three Test wickets for England, Sonny Baker didn’t do enough to secure his place in England’s third test squad.
With the addition of Stokes as a seamer there is a tough decision to be made.
Atkinson, Robinson and Tongue, performed exceptionally in the first Test, however England struggle to look past Jofra Archer when he is fit.
The hosts used 28 overs of spin at the Oval, with Jacob Bethell taking four wickets in the match.
This could make the option of going without a frontline spinner an easier decision for the home side, allowing them to name all four of their premium fast bowlers alongside captain Stokes.
Is Robinson ready?
Whilst England’s bowling looks like it could be back to full strength for the third Test, there may still remain some question marks over Ollie Robinson’s fitness.
He did not feature in the England defeat, as he struggled with soreness in his knee and it is his fitness that has reportedly hindered his England chances in the past.
It may have helped Robinson that the first Test required him to bowl less than 25 overs in the match.
The question must be asked, should the final Test match last the five days, would Robinson be fit enough to keep up with the pace of the game?
His exclusion from the side for the second Test will have likely been done with the aim of protecting him for the third.
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No room for James Rew
It was an underwhelming start to life in Test cricket for James Rew.
The 22-year-old scored 39 runs across the two innings and struggled with the gloves - conceding 30 byes in the match.
However, he has been in good form for Somerset at the start of the County Championship season, averaging 44.83.
At his age, you would fancy him to play Test matches for England again, but for now, there is no room for him in the squad.
Instead, Jamie Smith has been named to take back his spot behind the stumps.
Smith missed the second Test due to the birth of his second child.
Kiwis can cope without Kane Williamson
New Zealand legend Kane Williamson announced his retirement after the first Test, less than 500 runs from 10,000.
The suggestions that New Zealand would struggle without him wouldn’t be unwarranted, however early signs suggest they’re okay.
Nicholls came in as replacement and scored 145 runs in the match, including a knock of 121.
There is still plenty of quality and experience in their batting lineup, but the England bowling attack for the third Test will likely be a tougher challenge.
Despite New Zealand dominating with the bat in the second Test, the opening pair of Latham and Conway are still yet to really get going, with the latter getting a high score of 41.
Should either of the pair be able to put a really strong innings together from the start, England may struggle to get a hold of the game.
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