England face New Zealand in the third and final test of a three-match Test series, at Eden Park in Auckland. The series is up for grabs for either side, with the last two tests having ended in a tame draw.

New Zealand v England
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

The match is scheduled from 22 March to 26 March. Live coverage in the UK starts every day at 9.30pm GMT (on 21 March), with Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD providing broadcasts.

Overview

New Zealand will be overwhelmed by their performance thus far in the series, having had to suffer a battering at the hands of South Africa in their previous travels. The Kiwis were completely outplayed by the Proteas, losing the series 2-0, succumbing to an innings defeat in each of the two tests played.

The hosts will be buoyed by their performance in the second test, where a gritty performance from Kane Williamson (55) and Ross Taylor (41) on the final day saw the Kiwis through. England had put up a mammoth first innings score of 465 in the first innings and managed to bundle out New Zealand for a score of 254. The hosts were forced to follow on, but intervention of rain and some gritty batting from the top order saved the day for the Kiwis. Brendan McCullum's side will now look to force the issue in the final test, as they look to secure their first series win at home over their visitors since the 1983-84 season.

Alastair Cook will be distraught by his side's failure to secure a win in the second test after the English put up a much improved performance compared to the debacle in the first test. The Three Lions were bundled out for as low as 167 in the first innings at Dunedin, conceding an innings lead of 293. However, a 231 run partnership between Cook (116) and Nick Compton (117) saved England the blushes, leaving the Three Lions with a point to prove at Wellington.

England started the test much better, living on their reputation of bouncing back after the first test, but their bowlers failed to bowl out New Zealand in the final innings which was helped by the intervention of rain on the final day. England are expected to go all out in the final test, capping what should be an exciting finale to the series.

Team News

New Zealand have a full squad to choose from with Doug Bracewell expected to come in for Trent Boult in the bowling line up.

Probable Team: Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Dean Brownlie, Brendon McCullum, BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Bruce Martin, Neil Wagner

Kevin Pieterson will miss the final test owing to a knee injury which shall also keep him out of the IPL commencing next month. Jonny Bairstow is expected to deputize for the player.

Probable Team: Alastair Cook (capt),Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.

South Africa