The first game of the three-match Test series between England and New Zealand will begin on Thursday, June 2 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The match will start at 3:30 PM IST.
The match, which will be a part of the 2021-2023 World Test Championship cycle, will mark the beginning of Ben Stokes’ captaincy reigns in the longest format while it will also be Brendon McCullum’s first game in charge as England’s head coach.
ENG vs NZ Dream11 prediction
England have a dominating record against New Zealand in Test cricket. In a total of 107 matches in the longest format, the Poms have won a whopping 48 games while New Zealand have come out on top on just 12 occasions. As many as 47 matches have been drawn.
Interestingly enough, New Zealand have won each of their last three Test series (all 1-0) against England. In fact, England’s last win over New Zealand dates back to May 2015, which incidentally came at Lord’s itself.
The fact that England’s premier fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad are both back in the team gives England the edge right away. Add Ross Taylor’s absence from New Zealand’s middle-order and the uncertainty for the visitors grows further.
Hence, one can expect England to get their first Test win over New Zealand since 2015 this time around.
ENG vs NZ Dream11 team tips for 1st Test
Top tip: Best batter
Now that Joe Root no longer has the sword hanging on his head, the former England skipper can finally play his natural game against New Zealand. Root is averaging an impressive 52.17 on home soil after having scored 5009 runs in 59 Test matches. Hence, it comes as no surprise that a whopping 97.2 per cent of fantasy players have decided to add him to their teams.
Top tip: Best bowler
Selected by 87.97 per cent of fantasy managers, veteran bowler James Anderson is a top pick for this contest. The 39-year-old pacer has picked 110 of his 640 wickets in the longest format at Lord’s alone, which pretty much justifies his selection in the teams.
Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper
At 9.5 credits, Ben Stokes may remain an expensive investment, but the England all-rounder is absolutely worth every penny. The new England skipper hasn’t played a lot of Tests against New Zealand in the past, but he is averaging 43.27 against the Kiwis in the format.
For a wicket-keeper, Jonny Bairstow is being selected by 92.12 per cent of fantasy users and given his track record in the longest format, he remains our top choice too.
ENG vs NZ probable playing XI
ENG playing XI (probable): Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Joe Root, Ben Stokes (captain), Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Matty Potts
NZ playing XI (probable): Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson (captain), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Blundell (wicket-keeper), Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Neil Wagner
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Featured photo: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby
