NZ vs ENG: Devon Conway to Miss 3rd Test as New Zealand Opener Awaits Birth of His First Child

New Zealand make one change to their squad for the third and final Test of the home series against England with opener Devon Conway set to misses out on the Hamilton clash as he awaits the birth of his first child.

Trailing England 0-2, the Kiwis have added batting all-rounder Mark Chapman as a replacement for Conway in the squad ahead of the Hamilton Test, which is scheduled to start from December 14 at the Seddon Park.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said Conway had the full support of the team to remain in Wellington for the birth. "Family comes first in this environment and we are all really excited for Dev and his wife Kim to welcome their first child," said Stead as per ICC.

"Mark was with the Test squad in India recently and returned to the Plunket Shield by scoring an impressive 276 - so it is a good time for him to be joining us," he added.

Conway has struggled for runs lately, managing scores of just 11 and 0 during New Zealand's 323-run loss to England in the second Test in Wellington, where the Black Caps suffered their second straight loss to drop out of contention of reaching next year's ICC World Test Championship Final.

In the first Test at Christchurch, also Conway made single digit scores of two and eight. Overall, in 2024, the left-hander has struggled for form across all formats.

In nine Tests, he has scored 386 runs at an average of 21.44, with just three fifties to his name in 18 innings with best score of 91. In 18 international matches, the 33-year-old has just made 546 runs averaging 21.84, with four half-centuries to his name in 26 innings and best score of 91.

While Chapman has been added to the 14-member group, the Player of the Series from New Zealand's recent Test success in India, Will Young will be in contention for a call-up after he missed the opening two Tests against England.

Young, who batted at number three during the tour filling for Kane Williamson, had made useful contributions with the bat, and may have unfairly not found a place in the team in the opening two Tests against England.

Young is likely to come in to the line up as an opener for the third Test between New Zealand and England, which commences in Hamilton on Saturday (December 14). Here is a look at New Zealand's updated Test squad to face England:

New Zealand squad for 3rd Test vs England

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.