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ENG vs NZ – Match Preview
It is that time of the year when the English summer of international cricket takes center stage with Test cricket. In its first series this summer, England will host New Zealand in a two-match Test series starting June 2 at Lord's cricket ground in London. It is expected to be a close series as the world's No.2 Test team in the ICC Test rankings is ready to locks horns against the third-ranked Test team. However, with England playing in their own backyard, the early prediction will go in favor of the hosts who will be touted as favorites to win today's ENG vs NZ Test match at Lord's.
Both the teams will make a fresh start without much international cricket being played in the recent past. New Zealand's only Test appearance came against Pakistan in early January 2021 while England faced a drubbing against India three months ago. In their previous encounter in England, the honors were shared as the two-match series ended at 1-1 in 2015. However, the hosts will be desperate to get the better of BlackCaps to kickstart their home summer.
Before we make ENG vs NZ Today Test Match Prediction, here’s a look at what does the fixture has to offer:
ENG vs NZ Predicted Playing XIs for Today's Match
England Playing XI
The England team will miss the services of their key players including Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler. Archer and Stokes were ruled out due to injuries while Buttler was rested considering a long summer in prospect. Despite that fact, England still boasts of a strong playing XI comprising of the experienced James Anderson, Joe Root, and Stuart Broad. England has even roped in Haseeb Hameed and Sam Billings as replacements for Ben Foakes, who is also out on injury.
Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (C), Dan Lawrence, James Bracey (Wk), Ollie Pope, Jack Leach, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood
ALSO READ ENG vs NZ Live Streaming Details, Schedule & Match Timings
New Zealand Playing XI
The New Zealand team is coming after a successful home season against West Indies and Pakistan. Skipper Kane Williamson is in brilliant form as he paved his way to the numero uno position in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen. BlackCaps will consider these two Test matches against England to get acclimatized with the conditions in the country. While the focus will be to win the series against England, the hosts will have an eye over getting their preparation right before the WTC Final vs India starting June 18.
Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nichols, Devon Conway, BJ Watling (Wk), Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner
New Zealand vs England Head to Head records
Total Matches- 105
England Won – 48
New Zealand – 11
Drawn – 46
ENG vs NZ First Test Match- Players to Watch out for
England
A lot will rest upon the English skipper Joe Root in their batting department. In the absence of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler coupled with a fair inexperience middle-order, all eyes will be on Root to lead from the front. However, the likes of Dan Lawrence, Rory Burns, will also take this as an opportunity to setup up the task for the team's sake.
In the bowling ranks, it will be the usual suspects in James Anderson and Stuart Broad who will be at the center of action for England. A likely debut for James Bracey in the wicket-keeper's role would also interest a lot of fans of what he gas to offer to the England Test team.
New Zealand
Kane Williamson has been in supreme form in red-ball cricket and will be one of the players to watch out for against England in the 1st Test. His overall record in England isn't much impressive but his batting average of 56 at Lord's induces much hope for the quality batsman.
In the fast bowling department, the experienced Tim Southee along with his compatriots will aim to expose the weak English middle-order against the new ball. However, the BlackCaps will miss the services of their frontline seamer in Trent Boult for the first Test.
ENG vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will win ENG vs NZ first Test?
England boats of an outstanding record at Lord's and against their opponents. Playing at their home ground, England will always have the advantage and a possible edge over New Zealand in the first Test. The duo of Anderson and Broad will be tough to handle for the Kiwi batters in conditions conducive to swing bowling. Taking all of this into consideration, England will be favorites and are likely to win the first ENG vs NZ Test match starting June 2.
