New Zealand and England are currently engaged in a three-match Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. The Black Caps were expecting to give a tough time to England at home after winning a historic Test series in India, but everything turned upside down.
The Ben Stokes-led England cricket team has been dominating the hosts in style, as they won the first Test by eight wickets and then recorded another massive victory of 323 runs in the second Test to bag the three-match Test series with an unbeaten 2-0 lead in New Zealand.
Devon Conway prioritizes family, Mark Chapman set to join New Zealand squad for the third Test
Now, the teams are gearing up for the third and final Test, which is set to be played on December 14 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The New Zealand cricket team will arrive in Hamilton on Wednesday (December 11) to give their all to save their pride in the final Test against England.
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However, ahead of the Hamilton Test, the Black Caps have suffered another jolt after losing the home Test series to England, as their opening batter Devon Conway has decided to skip the third and final Test at Seddon Park due to personal reasons.
On Monday, November 9, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that Devon Conway will miss the third Test against England due to the birth of his child. Conway and his wife Kim are all set to welcome their first child in Wellington this week, and the Kiwi star wants to be with her.
Devon Conway will miss the third Tegel Test: NZC
Furthermore, the NZC also announced that Auckland Aces batter Mark Chapman will take Devin Conway’s place in the Test squad for the third and final Test match against England. Mark Chapman will link up with the Kiwi team in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The NZC said in an official statement: “BLACKCAPS opener Devon Conway will miss the third Tegel Test against England as he awaits the birth of his first child in Wellington this week. Conway will be replaced in the Test squad by Auckland Aces batter Mark Chapman, who will join up with the team in Hamilton ahead of Saturday’s third and final Tegel Test.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealand head coach, Gary Stead, has extended his full support to Devon Conway’s decision to prioritize family as he and his wife are set to welcome their first child. With Conway unavailable, Stead said that Mark Chapman will have the opportunity to shine against England, having recently impressed with a standout performance in the Plunket Shield.
Family comes first in this environment: Gary Stead supports Conway’s decision
Chapman, who was also part of the Kiwi squad on the India tour, scored 276 runs in the Plunket Shield, and the coach feels his inclusion in the Test squad is timely and well-deserved. Notably, Conway has a forgettable England series, as his home series average was just 5.25.
Gary Stead said in a NZC statement: “Family comes first in this environment, and we’re all really excited for Dev and his wife Kim to welcome their first child. Mark was with the Test squad in India recently and returned to the Plunket Shield by scoring an impressive 276—so it’s a good time for him to be joining us.”
Squad News | Devon Conway will miss the third Tegel Test against England as he awaits the birth of his first child in Wellington this week. #NZvENGhttps://t.co/TqtneR7SrH
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 8, 2024