Potts back with a bang as England curb New Zealand's strong start in third Test

Seamers shine for tourists as hosts end first day in Hamilton on 315-9

Matthew Potts of England celebrates after dismissing New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 63 on the first day of the third Test at Seddon Park on December 14, 2024. Getty Images

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson attempts to kick the ball away from his stumps as he's dismissed by Matthew Potts. Photosport

Matthew Potts of England bowls during the first day of the third Test against New Zealand. He finished the day with figures of three wickets for 75 runs off 21 overs. Getty Images

Matthew Potts of England celebrates with Ben Stokes after dismissing Glenn Phillips of New Zealand. Getty Images

New Zealand skipper Tom Latham on his way to a total of 63 off 135 balls. Getty Images

Mitchell Santner of New Zealand was undefeated on 50 runs off 54 balls at the close of play on day one. Getty Images

New Zealand's Kane Williamson after being bowled by Matthew Potts for 44. Photosport

England’s Gus Atkinson celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell. AFP

England seamer Matthew Potts made a dramatic return to the side on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

With England leading the series 2-0 and looking to complete a whitewash in Hamilton, fast bowlers Potts and Gus Atkinson took three wickets apiece as the hosts finished the day on 315-9.

Potts' haul included the wickets of Black Caps' captain Tom Latham and star batsman Kane Williamson as he justified his selection ahead of Chris Woakes to finish with figures of three for 75.

The Durham seamer also removed dangerous all-rounder Glenn Phillips for just five, but it was his dismissal of Williamson that pleased him most. It was the fourth time Potts has taken Williamson's scalp in five innings going head-to-head.

The Black Caps' star was Potts’ first international scalp on his Lord’s debut in 2022.

On a Seddon Park pitch where he has hit six centuries, he cruised to 44 before steering a sharp rising delivery from Potts back into his stumps.

He almost managed to deflect the ball away with his foot but reacted with dismay as it removed the bails.

For Potts, the emotions could hardly have been more different.

“I didn’t have a great view of it. I was a bit confused but then I saw a bail drop down by his feet and it was pure elation after that,” he said.

“It was a massive wicket at that point in the innings. It’s less about personal milestones and achievements of getting good players out but, at that key point in time, Kane could have taken the game away from us.

“To get a massive scalp like that for the team, a player like Kane who can play the long game and score quite quickly as well, I’m pretty proud of that.”

The New Zealand tail wagged hard but the batters higher up the order will be ruing their failure to build the partnerships they needed to really cash in on the platform laid by Latham and Will Young in an opening stand of 105.

Local hero Tim Southee gave the home fans something to cheer with his 96th, 97th and 98th test sixes in a 10-ball 23 in the last half-hour before holing out attempting the 99th in his penultimate test innings.

Mitchell Santner took New Zealand to stumps with a bright half-century from 54 balls and will resume on Sunday alongside Will O'Rourke, who had yet to score, looking to add a few more runs to the tally.

With the series already lost after heavy defeats in Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand are desperate to send Southee into retirement a winner in his final Test but England's bowlers stuck to their task and got their rewards.

Brydon Carse chipped in with the wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell, while Gus Atkinson took 3-55 in another strong performance on a hot, sunny day.

England skipper Ben Stokes showed his fitness by bowling 23 overs and he added the wicket of Matt Henry for eight courtesy of a smart juggle and catch by Harry Brook right on the boundary rope.

"Obviously you always want more," said Williamson, who came into the match with an average of 95.53 at Seddon Park.

"[There were] a number of contributions, guys getting in, but you never felt like you had a real rhythm out there. Always tough to sum up until you see a little bit more of how the pitch develops, but nice to have 300 plus on the board."