A year after New Zealand lifted the maiden World Test Championship with a win against India at Southampton, New Zealand will play England in the first Test of the three-match series, in Lord's. Just before that final, they had beaten England 1-0 in England – a series that started England's abysmal home summer in which they won one Test match and lost three. Following that, they lost 0-4 in Australia and 0-1 in the West Indies. In all, they have won one of their last 17 Test matches and lost 11.
Captain Joe Root resigned ahead of the home summer. Ben Stokes, who had led England once as a stand-in captain back in 2020, is set to step in. They have also roped in Brendon McCullum as coach, and recalled James Anderson and Stuart Broad, but their reluctance to include leg-spinner Matt Parkinson continues to baffle.
England have named their XI, which includes both Anderson and Broad. Since Joe Root is likely to bat at four, Ollie Pope seems set to bat above him. Pope has never batted in the top three, and has had only two outings at four. This will be a challenge for him. Durham seamer Matthew Potts, who has taken 31 wickets in his last five matches (including 11-101 in his most recent match, against Glamorgan), is also set to make his debut.
Not enough time has elapsed since the IPL final, which will force Trent Boult to miss the first Test match. However, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, and – if he plays ahead of Ajaz Patel – Matt Henry, should be more than a handful for any opposition if the ball moves around.
The form of Kane Williamson, who had a torrid time at the IPL, remains a concern, but New Zealand bat deep, with Jamieson likely to bat at eight. That may give them an edge over this new-look England side that will have to play out of their skin to compete with the world champions.
Likely XIs
England (announced): Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry.