England begin their long summer as they lock horns with New Zealand in the first of the two-match Test series starting June 2 (Wednesday) at Lord’s in London. Two of the best Test sides will fight it out in what will be a cracker of a series ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final.
For Kane Williamson’s men, the two Tests also provide perfect preparation for the World Test Championship final against India later this month. The Black Caps have landed in England for the first time in 2015 with one of the finest pace attacks they have ever produced. The 29-year-old Devon Conway is all set to make his debut, confirmed Williamson.
England are missing their IPL players, who have been rested from this game, and Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, who are both injured. Nevertheless, they remain formidable opponents at home, particularly with James Anderson and Stuart Broad in their ranks. Debutant James Bracey will also make his debut for England in the absence of Ben Foakes, who was ruled out with a ligament injury.
Match Details
Match: England vs New Zealand, 1st Test
Date and Time: 2nd June 2021, at 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Lord’s, London
ENG vs NZ Head to Head Records in Tests
Total number of matches played: 105
Matches won by ENG: 48
Matches won by NZ: 11
Matched played in England: 50 (ENG 30, NZ 5)
Matches played in New Zealand: 51 (ENG 18, NZ 6)
Pitch Report
A competitive game between the bat and ball is expected at Lord’s. The pacers should get the ball to swing around early on, with the batsmen having to bide their time in the middle. Although there isn’t much turn-on offer, the spinners might play a part later on in this Test.
Predicted Playing XIs
England
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope, James Bracey (wk), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jack Leach, and Craig Overton/Mark Wood
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Colin de Grandhomme, and Mitchell Santner
ENG vs NZ – Match Prediction – Who will win the match?
England are a formidable side when they play at home. Joe Root & Co enjoy a marathon record against the Black Caps, having won 48 matches out of 105 matches they have played. They also have won 30 matches out of the 50 played against New Zealand in English conditions.
Although the Kiwis are No.2 in ICC world rankings, Joe Root & Co will start as the favourites to win the match and go 1-0 up in the two-match series.