Woakes replaced by Potts for final New Zealand Test match

By Sports Desk December 13, 2024

England have replaced Chris Woakes with Matthew Potts for the third and final Test during their tour of New Zealand in Hamilton.

The visitors are coming into the Test with the Crowe-Thorpe trophy already secured, having won in Christchurch and Wellington.

With the pressure off to some extent, England are using it as a chance to rotate their seamers, with Potts winning his first cap since playing against Pakistan in October.

This will be Potts' 10th Test cap for England as he faces the same opposition against whom he had success in 2022 during his first summer as an England international.

"We're looking forward to giving Pottsy an opportunity to see what he can do this week," said captain Ben Stokes.

"He's got a massive engine on him. He can go all day and bowl a lot of overs, but not just that, he's a very skilful bowler.

"He's a versatile bowler, you can use him with the new ball and the short-ball plan that we go to because he's so fit. He can bowl you 20 overs one day, then rock up again and bowl you another 20."

Potts took 14 wickets in three Tests four years ago and, now 26 years old, will be aiming to stake a long-term claim for a place in England's pace-bowling options.

Woakes might have been expected to keep his spot in the team had the series been alive, having resurrected a previously floundering international career.

Despite a disparity between his figures at home and on the road, he ended the year with eight wickets at 35.63 in three overseas appearances.

"Woakesy came into the winter tours with a bit of scrutiny behind his away record, but I think what he has done has proved a lot of people wrong," said Stokes.

"He's been fantastic for us, he was great in Pakistan and pretty influential over here too.

"At 2-0 up, you put yourself in an easier position to make that change, and we want to be giving opportunities and experience to the guys who don't always get that."

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