New Zealand has named off-spinner Will Somerville as the replacement for injured Trent Boult for the third Test match which will take place at Sydney Cricket Ground. Trent Boult had to go back home after he fractured his hand in the second Test match against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has named a spinner to replace a pacer in the side as the Sydney track offers assistance to the spinners. New Zealand already has Tim Southee, Neil Wagner as the premier pacers in the side. Furthermore, the visitors have Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle as the spinners in the side.
Somerville has played only three Test matches.
On the other hand, Will Somerville had made his debut against Pakistan last year at the age of 34 years. The off-spinner had scalped seven wickets on his debut and had helped his team in winning the match.
Somerville played two more matches for the Kiwis and he was also part of the series leveling win against Sri Lanka in August.
“It’s no secret the SCG pitch is one of the more spin-friendly in Australia,” coach Gary Stead said. “Will offers something different to our two other spinners in the squad with his right arm off-spin and height. The fact he’s played a lot of cricket in Sydney during his career for New South Wales will also be helpful as we prepare for this final Test.”
Australia has already taken an assailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series as they won the second Test by 247 runs. Travis Head was awarded the Man of the Match for scoring a fine century in the first innings. New Zealand will need to play out of their skin to challenge Australia in the latter’s own conditions.
The final and third Test match will take place in Sydney from January 3.