ENG VS NZ | 1st Test | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

A whole new era for English Test cricket begins on Thursday as newly appointed captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum's side face the World Test champions New Zealand at the Home of Cricket, Lord's. 

The hosts are currently struggling in the longest format of the game, having won just one of their last 17 Test matches. The string of poor performances, first in the Ashes and then in the West Indies, saw England swirling at the bottom of the WTC 2022 points table. 

With the new captain and new coach at the helm, the Three Lions will look to change their fortune and climb back up the Test rankings. The home side, however, is struck with several injuries in the camp, but they will be relieved to have the old horses – James Anderson and Stuart Broad back in the squad as the duo are known for their fierce, fast bowling skills, especially in the facilitative conditions of England. 

As England has already announced their playing combination ahead of the Lord's Test, we will see Zak Crawley and Alex Lees opening the innings for the Three Lions, with Ollie Pope coming one down.

Joe Root will also take part in the opening Test at Lord's Stadium. This will be his first Test match as a regular player in several years. Stokes, the new skipper, will bat at six. Jonny Bairstow has also retained his spot in the playing XI. 

The reigning World Test Champions, on the other hand, will look to emulate last Summer's heroics when they won the series 1-0 against mighty England. 

Devon Conway will have lovely memories from that game as the stylish left-handed batter had smashed a double ton on his Test debut at the Home of Cricket, Lords. The Kiwis will expect a similar performance from the 30-year-old. 

Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner will make the pace attack for the Kiwis as Trent Boult is doubtful for the first Test. Henry Nicholls, who is recovering from a calf injury, is expected to miss the first Test as well. 

New Zealand last played a Test series back in February this year when they drew a two-match series 1-1 with South Africa at home. England, meanwhile, endured a tough 1-0 loss to the West Indies in March. Having said that, both the teams will look to start the summer on a winning note. 

Match Details:

Match: England vs New Zealand, 1st Test, New Zealand tour of England, 2022

Venue: Lord's, London

Date & Time: June 2nd Thursday – June 6th Monday, 2022, 03:30 PM IST

TV: Sony Sports Network

Live Streaming: Sony LIV App

Pitch Report:

Batting on an opening day has always been a challenge at Lords, where there will be plenty of assistance for the bowlers. The new cherry will get a lot of movements in the early hours of the day. The 3rd and 4th days of the game allow batters to open their hands well and score runs.  

Pitch Stats:

Matches Played: 141

Matches won batting first: 51

Matches won bowling first: 39

Average 1st Inns scores: 313

Average 2nd Inns scores: 298

Average 3rd Inns scores: 257

Average 4th Inns scores: 154   

Head-To-Head: 

As far as the head-to-head record between the two cricketing giants is concerned, England holds the edge over New Zealand in Test cricket. In 107 Tests between the two sides, England has managed to win 48. While the Kiwis have won just 12 Tests, while as many as 47 games ended in a draw.

Weather Forecast:  

The temperature on the first and second day of the game will be hovering around 14 to 21 degrees Celsius. We might witness rain interruptions on the third and fourth day of the game.   

Injury Update/Players' Availability:

Henry Nicholls has travelled to England with the squad, but a calf injury is expected to see him miss out from New Zealand's playing XI. 

Trent Boult is expected to miss the first Test as he played in the Indian Premier League final for Rajasthan Royals on Sunday and is unlikely to recover in time for five days of Test cricket.

Squads:

England: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (wk), Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Will Young, Michael Bracewell

Probable Playing XI:

England (Announced): Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Will Young, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Blundell (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel  

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Jonny Bairstow, Tom Blundell

Batters: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Joe Root, Devon Conway 

All-Rounders: Ben Stokes, Colin de Grandhomme

Bowlers: James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Southee 

Captain: Joe Root

Vice-Captain: Devon Conway