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.

Published - 15 Feb 2023, 20:49 IST | Updated - 15 Feb 2023, 19:11 IST

2 Min Read

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