NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details
The two teams will contest in a two-match Test series.
The ‘Bazball’ technique is all set to face their new challengers in New Zealand starting from February 16 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. England captain Ben Stokes will be leading for the first time in his country of birth as the Three Lions look to continue revolutionising Test Cricket.
England are on a roll ever since Brendon McCullum took over the job of head coach in the red-ball format as they’ve won nine out of ten Tests. They haven’t faced a tough challenge from any opposition so far and New Zealand are expected to provide that with the pink ball in the first Test.
On the other hand, New Zealand will look to maintain their unbeaten run in the Test series at home without their premier bowlers in Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson, and Matt Henry. It will be captain Tim Southee’s second assignment after he took over the reins in Test cricket from Kane Williamson. Southee will most probably have two debutants in the fast bowling department to win over England’s new approach to batting in Test cricket.
Pitch and Conditions
The Day 1 of the Test might get affected by some thunderstorms but the forecast for the rest of the four days shows no interruptions from rain. Mount Maunganui is considered one of the better batting surfaces in New Zealand. In the three Tests played at the venue so far, two have been won by teams batting second. The average first innings score at the venue is 370 with the highest total of 615/9 recorded by New Zealand against England.
Probable Playing XI for NZ vs ENG first Test
New Zealand
Probable XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn/Jacob Duffy, Neil Wagner
England
Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson
NZ vs ENG Head-to-Head
Played -110 | New Zealand - 12 | England - 51 | Draw - 47
NZ vs ENG Broadcast & Live Streaming Details
Venue – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Match Timings - 06:30 AM IST
TV- The live broadcast of the series won’t be available on Television.
Live Streaming- Amazon Prime Video
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