Follow UsEngland are set to take on New Zealand in the third Test at Headingley starting on Thursday (June 22). Victories at Lord’s and Trent Bridge have already gained the hosts an invincible lead in the series. However, New Zealand, having fought hard in the series, would like to pull one game back to show for their efforts. Having said that, there are crucial WTC points in store for both sides.
Ground details and team combination
One of the northernmost Test venues in the world, Headingley at Leeds is a paradise for bowlers, especially the pacers. In four Tests since 2017, the batters have averaged 28.9 runs per wicket, the third lowest among the seven venues to have hosted Test cricket in England in the meantime.
Pacers have grabbed 111 of the 128 wickets to have fallen in these four Tests. In fact, there is a good chance that the Kiwi side won’t field any spinner in their XI.
The conditions here, in fact, get better as time progresses. The average first innings score here is 172 followed by 322 in the second innings of the match, 287 in the third and 342 in the last innings. Hence, the side batting first has never won any of these four Tests.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
Small Leagues – Joe Root (Captain), Ben Stokes (vice-captain)
Grand Leagues – Stuart Broad (Captain), Trent Boult (vice-captain)
Stats That Matter
- Joe Root is the most obvious and safe choice as captain given his golden run at present. He has four hundreds in the last five Tests and 10 hundreds since the beginning of 2021. Moreover, Headingley is Root’s home ground. Though he averages only 42.4 at the venue, he has most runs here among active players, with two hundreds and three fifties.
- In a true sense, Ben Stokes is the only all-rounder in this match. Daryl Mitchell, in all probability, won’t bowl much and others available in the all-rounder’s category are not expected to feature in the XI. Stokes has averaged 58.7 with the bat in the series. With James Anderson out of the Test and England set to field a relatively young seam bowling attack, Stokes can also be seen bowling a lot of overs.
- Trent Boult has troubled Zak Crawley in the series. Across the two innings in the Trent Bridge, it took Boult only 10 balls to dismiss Crawley twice.
- On a similar note, Tom Latham has struggled to get past Stuart Broad. The left-hander averages only 16.9 against Broad, losing his wicket eight times. Overall, Latham is going through a lean patch this series, averaging only 11.25.
- Kyle Jamieson’s injury should make way for Neil Wagner in this Test. However, Headingley might not offer the best of the pitches for him. Wagner’s modus operandi lies in pitching the ball in the back of a length or the short pitch area. In Tests at Headingley since 2017, only 20% of the total wickets taken by pacers have come from that length.
Grand League Punts
- Stuart Broad is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket at Headingley. The lanky pacer has 46 wickets here in 10 Tests. At a venue where the bowlers flourished in recent history, picking Broad over Root as your captain is worth a punt.
- Despite England’s attacking instinct, Trent Boult has been the highest wicket-taker in the series, picking 12 wickets at 24.5 runs apiece. If the conditions assist swing bowling, there are few bowlers better equipped to wreak havoc than Boult.
- Kane Williamson has a below par record in England. However, given his technique - watertight defensive technique with the ability to play the ball late - he is too good a player to stay from runs for this long. However, at Headingley, he averages 5.5 in four innings.
Probable XIs
England
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matt Potts, Jamie Overton, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult