England win toss and bowl in third test against New Zealand

HAMILTON: England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first in the third and final test against New Zealand at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on Saturday.

The tourists, who have already won the series after comprehensive wins in Christchurch and Wellington, brought seamer Matthew Potts in for Chris Woakes in the first change to their team in the series.

Read more: Pakistan vs South Africa: Men in Green defeated by 7 wickets

“It’s always nice having a very strong squad. So just replacing one gun bowl with another,” said Stokes.

“For us, it’s going out there again this week with that same mentality, same mindset, that we did in the first two games, because it has served us pretty well.”

New Zealand captain Tom Latham had already confirmed that Will Young would replace opener Devon Conway, who is remaining at home for the birth of his first child, but announced a second change to the team on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was named in the side in place of seam bowler Nathan Smith and will play his first test since he took 13 wickets in late October to fire the Black Caps to victory in Puna on their successful tour of India.

Seamer Tim Southee has confirmed that the match on his home ground will be his final test, bringing down the curtain on a glittering 16-year career.

Read more: Massive target by Pakistan dents South Africa’s chances in 2nd T20

“We know we haven’t been at our best, and we certainly acknowledge that,” said Latham. “But we’ve got another opportunity here to put a performance on the board that we’re proud of, and it would obviously be a great way to send (Southee) out.”