England vs New Zealand 2021, 1st Test- Weather Forecast And Pitch Report

The England vs New Zealand 2021, 1stTest will be played at Lord’s from June 2-6. The Test series will serve as a dress rehearsal for the Kiwis before their World Test Championship final against India. Both sies are heading into the Test series with contrasting results. While New Zealand have beaten teams like West Indies and Pakistan in the build-up to this contest, England have lost to India away from home.

England have a lot of their Test regulars missing from the squad for the Test squad. Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler, and Jonny Bairstow have all been rested for this tour after completing their mandatory quarantine since returning from the IPL. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes are recovering from their respective injuries.

Sam Billings and Haseeb Hameed have been included in the Test squad. Apart from them, the likes of Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Craig Overton, have a chance to step up and grab the limelight in the two-Test match series.

Meanwhile, England coach Chris Silverwood hinted at the team rotation policy in the future. These two games thus present a very good opportunity for the coach to have an experiment like that.

England vs New Zealand 2021, 1st Test

New Zealand, on the other hand, have a full-strength squad heading into the Test series. The conditions in England plays into the hands of the Kiwi swing bowlers in Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Coupled with Neil Wagner’s pace, the trio forms a deadly combination.

With the bat, Kane Williamson has been batting like a dream in recent times. The side has improved remarkably under him since their 3-0 series loss to Australia. The likes of Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Colin de Grandhomme are a part of this well-rounded Test squad.

Devon Conway is in line for getting his maiden Test cap. Alongside him, the likes of Henry Nicholls and Darryl Mitchell give interesting options to the side. Wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Wating is another stalwart in the side. A veteran of 73 Tests for the Kiwis, he has announced that he will be retiring after the World Test Championship final against India.

England vs New Zealand 2021, 1st Test: Pitch Report

The last Test played at Lord’s was the second Test of the 2019 Ashes series. The pitch for the upcoming Test is expected to have something for both batsmen and bowlers. There will be help for seamers throughout the test match, while the spinners can have a say in the final two games of the Test match. Good batters can score runs as well.

England vs New Zealand 2021, 1st Test: Weather Forecast

The Test match is expected to be interrupted by rain several times. There is a forecast of showers on the third, fourth and fifth day. A continuous cloud cover should help the bowlers throughout the five days of play. The average temperature should be around 23 degrees celsius.

Average first innings score – 312

Average second innings score – 298

Total Matches Played At This Venue- 139

Matches Won Batting First- 50

Matches Won Batting Second-39

Also Read: ICC WTC Final: Brendon McCullum Names His Favourites Between India And New Zealand