NZ vs ENG Match Preview- 1st Test, England tour of New Zealand 2024
Published - 27 Nov 2024, 09:30 PM | Updated - 27 Nov 2024, 09:31 PM
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England's cricket team arrives in New Zealand with something to prove and is hoping to salvage a challenging 2024 Test season in the series opener at Christchurch. Captain Ben Stokes returns to his hometown, leading a side that has experienced a turbulent year with seven wins and seven defeats.
The tourists face a critical challenge against New Zealand who are fresh from a dominant 0-3 series win in India. Both teams have high stakes as New Zealand must win convincingly to qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord's, while England seeks to restore competitive credibility.
Debutant all-rounder Jacob Bethell joins the squad as England is ongoing team regeneration. The team's recent performances have been mixed, including a promising start with a shock victory over India but balanced by consecutive defeats in the away series.
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NZ vs ENG Match Preview- 1st Test, England tour of New Zealand 2024
NZ vs ENG 1st Test Date and Venue
The 1st NZ vs ENG test will be held on Thursday (November 28) at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. It is scheduled to begin at 03:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM local time.
Squads:
New Zealand
Tom Latham will be leading the New Zealand team in the first NZ vs ENG Test.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Williamson, Will Young.
England
Ben Stokes will be leading England in the first NZ vs ENG game.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox (WK), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
NZ vs ENG Key Battles
Matt Henry vs. England Openers:
New Zealand's Matt Henry, known for his swing and accuracy, will be tasked with making early inroads against England's openers. Zak Crawley's aggressive style and tendency to play expansive shots early on could make him vulnerable to Henry's movement.
Ben Duckett, on the other hand, is a more compact player who relies on timing and placement. Henry's ability to swing the ball both ways will test both openers, and his accuracy will be crucial in containing their scoring rate. The first few overs will be vital in setting the tone for New Zealand. If Henry can pick up early wickets, it could put England under pressure.
Joe Root vs Will O’Rourke:
Top-order batsman Joe Root is the cornerstone of the English batting order. His skills on both spin and seaming wickets make him one of the toughest prizes to acquire for New Zealand.
For O'Rourke, tasked with facing Root, it will not be easy getting out of his shadow since he would be required to maintain consistency as well as anticipate the instance where Root lapses into a concentration lapse while rotating the strike and poking gaps.
Kane Williamson vs Brydon Carse
New Zealand will see the importance of Kane Williamson's textbook style and calm demeanor at the crease.
At the other end, Brydon Carse, England's rapid riser, stands tall with pace and swing. Williamson's patience and footwork will help him deflect Carse's aggressive bowling spell. The duel will test Carse's control under pressure and Williamson's resilience against a fiery spell.
NZ vs ENG Key Players
NZ: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee will be key players for New Zealand.
ENG: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Chris Woakes, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Brydon Carse, and Ben Stokes are key players for England.
NZ vs ENG Weather And Pitch Report
There are thin chances of precipitation, and the weather is likely to be cloudy at Hagley Oval in Christchurch with temperatures around 26°C. Humidity is moderate at 49%. A steady breeze blowing between 26 km/h may dictate swing bowling early in the match.
The first two days have usually been quite helpful to seamers at Hagley Oval with the pitch offering ample bounce and lateral movement.
Early assistance for fast bowlers is expected with the early sessions important for batters. In a contest that lasts beyond two days, one can expect the surface to ease out and offer a better opportunity for stroke play. A minimal turn here for spinners might make the focus shift to pacers to dictate terms.
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New Zealand National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team New Zealand vs England England vs New Zealand NZ vs ENG
