Those beginning to question England's Bazballing ways have been forced to reconsider their position following an exhibition in expressive, but more importantly successful, cricket from Ben Stokes's side over the last couple of weeks.
England head to Hamilton on Friday with a series win in New Zealand already safely in the bag and they will be confident of completing a clean sweep over the Kiwis at Seddon Park.
- HARRY BROOK PLAYER OF THE MATCH
- BEN DUCKETT TO SCORE A FIRST-INNINGS 50
- NEW ZEALAND FIRST-WICKET PARTNERSHIP UNDER 27.5 RUNS
Brook On Top Of The World
There seems to be little that can stop Harry Brook's rise in international cricket, and after centuries in both of England's wins in New Zealand, the Yorkshire star replaced England's greatest Test runscorer of all-time, Joe Root, as the number-one ranked batter in the world.
Brook's stats away from home are simply phenomenal. Seven of his eight Test centuries have come overseas and his average of 91.50 in away Tests is bettered by only Don Bradman.
His two centuries in this series have been breathtaking at times, mixing classical strokeplay with raw power and innovation.
There has been some good fortune on occasion - he was dropped multiple times in his first-innings 171 in the first Test - but when Brook has been on top of the Kiwis attack he has been relentless.
At present it's hard to see how the Black Caps will oust him unless he plays a false shot and another big score could be on the cards for the 25-year-old at Seddon Park.
If that happens, Brook could add another player-of-the-match accolade to his burgeoning collection.
HARRY BROOK PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Duckett To Lay Solid Foundations
England opener Ben Duckett fell eight runs short of a century in the second innings of last week's second Test.
The diminutive batter embodies England's Bazball approach with punchy strokeplay and he has undoubtedly made the position at the top of the order his own over the last few years.
A Test average of exactly 41 is not to be sniffed at, especially up against the new ball when there is always a chance of low scores.
Duckett passed fifty in all of England's three Tests in Pakistan earlier this winter and has been dismissed for 46, 27, nought and 92 so far against New Zealand.
He is worth a look to score a 14th half-century in Hamilton.
BEN DUCKETT TO SCORE A FIRST-INNINGS 50
England Bowlers Can Strike Early
The fast, bouncy pitches of Australia may not suit Chris Woakes but conditions across the Tasman Sea are much more to his liking.
The similarities between conditions in England and New Zealand is a huge plus for Woakes, whose swing-bowling expertise has been seen to great effect in the series.
Alongside the pacier Gus Atkinson, Woakes has been able to make early inroads to the New Zealand order, with Kiwis opener Devon Conway, in particular, struggling to post any score of note.
The Black Caps have lost their first wicket with just four, three, 18 and nine runs on the scoreboard and they may again be relying on number three Kane Williamson to dig them out of an early hole.
NEW ZEALAND FIRST-WICKET PARTNERSHIP UNDER 27.5 RUNS
