Devon Conway will miss the third and final Test of New Zealand’s home series against England as he awaits the birth of his first child. The decision comes as New Zealand trail England 0-2 in the series, and Conway’s absence has led to the inclusion of batting all-rounder Mark Chapman in the squad for the Hamilton Test, which is scheduled to begin on December 14 at Seddon Park.
Conway has been struggling with his form in recent Tests, and his absence leaves a gap at the top of the order. New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his full support for Conway, stating that family is the top priority in such moments. "Family comes first in this environment, and we are all really excited for Dev and his wife Kim as they prepare to welcome their first child," said Stead. "Mark, who was part of the Test squad during New Zealand’s recent tour of India, returned to the Plunket Shield with an impressive 276, so it's a good time for him to join us."
Conway’s recent form has been concerning, with poor performances in both Tests against England. In the second Test in Wellington, Conway scored just 11 and 0, contributing to New Zealand’s 323-run loss. This defeat marked their second consecutive loss, effectively eliminating them from contention for next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final. Conway also struggled in the first Test at Christchurch, making scores of 2 and 8.
In 2024, Conway has faced difficulties across all formats, with a total of 386 runs at an average of 21.44 in nine Tests. His form has seen him score just three half-centuries in 18 innings, with a highest score of 91. Overall, Conway has made 546 runs at an average of 21.84 in 18 international matches.
As a result of Conway’s absence, Chapman, who was part of the squad during New Zealand’s recent tour of India, has been added to the 14-member group. Chapman has been in solid form, with his remarkable 276 in the Plunket Shield, making him a strong addition to the team. Another potential change could be Will Young, New Zealand’s Player of the Series in their recent Test series in India. Young missed the first two Tests against England but is now likely to make a return, potentially as an opener, for the third Test in Hamilton. Young, who batted at number three during the India tour in the absence of Kane Williamson, contributed significantly with the bat and may now find a place in the lineup after Conway’s withdrawal.
The third Test in Hamilton is crucial for New Zealand as they look to avoid a series whitewash and build momentum for future series. The squad for the upcoming Test against England now includes:
Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
With Conway’s absence, New Zealand will hope for a strong performance from their remaining top-order players and a potential boost from the returning Young, as they aim to end the series on a high note.
