With England already holding a 1-0 lead after a commanding win in Game 2 and the opener washed out, Game 3 becomes a chance for New Zealand to salvage pride at home and avoid a series defeat. England will aim to wrap things up cleanly, while the hosts will be desperate to respond.
New Zealand vs England 3rd T20
Auckland, Thursday October 23rd, 5.15pm (AEDT)
New Zealand
In Game 2, New Zealand were outclassed, managing only 171 all out in 18 overs after England piled up a massive 236 for 4. The batting never really settled, early wickets kept falling and the middle order never built momentum. On the plus side, the home side know exactly what went wrong and have a clear agenda to clean up: stronger starts, fewer wickets lost in clusters, and converting solid innings into big totals.
With the series on the line, New Zealand’s bowling attack must lift. England’s top order, particularly Harry Brook with 78 off 35 and Phil Salt with 85 off 56, dominated from start to finish. The Kiwis need early breakthroughs, tighter fielding, and fewer boundary balls if they want to keep England in check. Expect Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy to shoulder much of that responsibility.
New Zealand Predicted XI: Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
England
England looked ruthless in Game 2. Brook and Salt’s explosive 129-run stand powered the tourists to their huge total, the highest T20 score recorded on that ground. Their batting showed confidence, power and composure, while their bowlers backed it up with control and precision to roll New Zealand with two overs to spare.
The visitors will be brimming with belief heading into Game 3. They have the momentum and can play with freedom. Their challenge now is maintaining that intensity and avoiding complacency. If the top order fires again and Adil Rashid continues his sharp form with the ball, England will be hard to stop.
England Predicted XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid
Match Prediction
New Zealand have shown enough across the series to suggest a turnaround is coming. They were on top in the washed-out first game and now return home with something to prove, a point to make, and a full crowd behind them. If their top order clicks and the seamers hit their stride early, the balance could shift quickly.
England might have the edge on paper, but this feels like a night for the Black Caps. Expect a sharper, more disciplined New Zealand outfit to bounce back and level the series 1-1 in front of their home fans.
Player Prop
Rachin Ravindra looks ready to make an impact in Game 3 after showing flashes of form earlier in the series. The washout in Christchurch denied him a platform, but with a clearer role at the top of the order and home conditions in his favour, he’s well-placed to build a steady start into a 25+ score. His ability to rotate strike and punish loose balls should see him settle quickly and anchor New Zealand’s innings.
