New Zealand aims to conclude their Test series against England on a high note, with veteran pacer Tim Southee potentially playing his final match in the format at Seddon Park, Hamilton. The 36-year-old Southee, who debuted against England 16 years ago, has been a cornerstone of New Zealand cricket, accumulating 389 Test wickets—second only to Sir Richard Hadlee's 431. However, his recent form has been modest, taking only four wickets in the series so far.

The third Test, beginning Saturday, offers a chance for New Zealand to salvage pride after heavy defeats in the first two matches. They might introduce changes to their XI, with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner a potential inclusion to diversify the bowling attack. In the batting department, opener Devon Conway will miss the match as he prepares for the birth of his first child, paving the way for Will Young's return to the top order. Young, familiar with the challenges of opening, expressed readiness to seize the opportunity.

For England, the series has been a showcase of dominance, highlighted by Harry Brook's explosive performances. Brook has amassed scores of 171, 123, and 55, becoming the top-ranked Test batsman and replacing Joe Root at the summit. Root lauded his teammate, calling Brook "the best player in the world at the minute" and praising his ability to handle pressure and attack all types of bowling with ease.

With England seeking a 3-0 series sweep and New Zealand aiming to honor Southee with a win, the final Test promises high stakes for both teams. While England's batting firepower, led by Brook, has been pivotal, New Zealand's strategy will likely focus on containing him and improving their own batting consistency.