Talking points as England go for clean sweep in New Zealand

Joe Root looking for record-breaking seventh century of year.

Published 2 hours ago

England have arrived in Hamilton ahead of their final Test of 2024. With the three-match series already secured after back-to-back wins for the tourists, PA looks at some of the key talking points.

Root’s record hunt

It has been another prolific year for Joe Root, who continues to be England’s most reliable performer. His second-innings century at Wellington was the 36th of his career and his sixth in the calendar year. That is a joint record among Englishmen, with Root previously posting half-a-dozen hundreds in 2021 to place alongside Jonny Bairstow, Michael Vaughan and Denis Compton. He now has two more innings to go it alone and set a new benchmark of seven.

Opener needs to finish well

Zak Crawley bats against West Indies — Zak Crawley has struggled for runs in New Zealand (Nick Potts/PA)

Selection: stick or twist?

Chris Woakes may be rested for the third Test (John Walton/PA)

A game too far for Black Caps great?

Tim Southee has taken four wickets in the series (Joe Giddens/PA)

A final hurdle for Bethell

Jacob Bethell celebrates a fifty — Jacob Bethell has hit two half-centuries for England in the first two Tests (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)